Unity in Diversity - Federalism as a Mechanism to Accommodate Ethnic Diversity: The Case of Ethiopia

This book argues that the development of federalism in Ethiopia fits in with a global trend towards increased attention to ethnic minority rights and to federalism as a mechanism for ethnic conflict prevention and management. The Ethiopian federation is designed as a framework within which the Ethiopian ethnic groups can protect their rights and within which they are stimulated to develop a cooperative relationship. To put it differently, the constitutional objective of the federal structure is the creation of 'unity in diversity'. This work aims to evaluate the capacity of Ethiopian federalism to achieve this objective by investigating the relevant historical, political and legal aspects.

Christophe Van der Beken (PhD Ghent University 2006) is an Associate Professor at the Institute of Federalism and Legal Studies, Ethiopian Civil Service University, and a voluntary post-doctoral researcher at Ghent University Law Faculty. His research activities are focused on comparative constitutional law and federalism with a special interest in Africa.