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The rich ethnic diversity in the SNNP region is being managed by different mechanisms of constitutional, institutional, and political practice. Yet, this has not been able to contain new questions of identity, not only seeking for recognition as a distinct ethnic group, but also a desire to establish ethnic territorial administrations. Moreover, ethnic groups that are already recognized are also laying claims to various self-determination rights, inter alia, to territorial autonomy, equitable participation, and the redrawing of internal (ethnic) boundaries. Based on legal analysis of cases from the SNNP region, the article critically discusses the quest for identity and self-determination, and provides an overview of the experience of the region. In dealing with the existing dilemma, we argue that there is a need to maintain the balance between constitutional rights to identity recognition and self-determination with the threat of ethnic and territorial fragmentations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Minority issues in Africa have surfaced in various dimensions affecting the socio-political landscape of the continent. The protection of minorities is without doubt crucial to securing sustainable peace, economic development as well as protection and enforcement of human rights. Even though domestic mechanisms of accommodating ethnic diversity play a decisive role in the protection of minorities, the African human rights regime is also important in the protection of minorities. The African Bill of Rights embodies numerous innovative provisions which can lend support to the various minorities in Africa. The ground-breaking decisions by the African Commission also add to the existing normative discourse on minorities, especially, those dealing with peoples' rights. However, there is still much to be desired for in extending normative and jurisprudential exercises to reach out to minority issues of all sorts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Broad representation of different ethnic groups has implications in stability and the quality of democracy. The right to political participation is largely realized through the electoral system of a country. The choice among electoral systems should thus take various factors into account including the need for securing equitable representation, including minority groups. It is argued that the 'first past the post' system embodied in Ethiopia's electoral law denies national and regional minorities equitable and adequate share of political power in the respective federal and regional councils. Hence, taking into consideration Ethiopia's long history of competing ethnic nationalisms and lack of consensus, there is the need for securing adequate representation proportional to the numerical presence of minorities in constituencies in lieu of stubborn adherence solely to the majoritarian plurality system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The author discusses the recognition of ethnic diversity in Ethiopia and the aim to build a nation with the base of ethnicity that will be institutionalized in its federal constitution. She is critical on the creation of ethnic based regional estates which can foster dangers for minority groups due to the conflict on rights that will arise between the minorities and ethnic group. Also examined is the outcome of federal arrangement noting the rights of the dominant groups over the minorities.