The Ethiopian Constitution and Its Approach to the Ethnic Communities’ Demand for Own States

Nationwide public protest that began soon after the 2015 general elections in Ethiopia which the EPRDF claimed a 100% victory led to division within the party as well popular resistance against the ruling party especially from the Oromo and Amhara youth which led to the resignation of Haile Mariam Dessalegn in February 2018 as the Prime Minister of the country and the chairperson of the EPRDF. [...] The Constitutional framework for state formation The EPRDF (1991−2019) was of the view that the principal political problem in the country was the failure of previous regimes to manage the ethnic diversity of the people of the country properly. [...] When the members of the Council of the Nation, Nationality or People concerned have approved the demand by a two-thirds majority, they present in writing to the State Council; When the Council that received the demand has organized a referendum within one year to be held in the Nation, Nationality or People that made the demand; b. [...] According to Art 47 sub- articles 2 and 3 (a) of the Federal Constitution and art 49 sub-article 6(a) of the 2002 Revised Constitution of SNNPRS, the regional government should notify of the decision within one year from the notification of the zonal council of the demand for statehood. [...] The Gamo Zonal Council office submitted a complaint letter to the SNPPRS administration, the SNNPR House of Nations, Nationalities and Peoples, the federal House of Federation, the Prime Minister, and the House of Peoples Representatives in March 2020 after receiving no answer from the SNNPRS.