Abstract
Designed to manage its profound diversity, Ethiopia's 1991 shift to ethno-linguistic federalism has inadvertently created critical 'federal fault lines' that now place the nation at a crossroads of unity and fragmentation. While ostensibly designed to safeguard group rights, the federal system has paradoxically engendered a myriad of deep-rooted systemic complexities. This study rigorously examines how this governance paradigm has impacted national cohesion. Through a multi-regional qualitative inquiry, utilizing extensive interviews, focus group discussions, and secondary data, the research demonstrates that the federal system has exacerbated rather than ameliorated ethno-nationalist tendencies. Findings reveal persistent challenges rooted in the complex articulation of ethnic identity with territorial claims, the opportunism of ethnic entrepreneurs, and deep-seated political allegiances that undermine broader national integration. Consequently, absence of effective rule of law, escalating inter-group conflicts, violations of rights and freedoms, kidnappings, violence, internal population displacements, administrative boundary disputes, and socio-economic impediments are now critically threatening the very survival of the Ethiopian nation-state.
Key words:
Ethno-linguistic Federalism National Integration Ethno-nationalism Fragmentation State Fragility
