Unity in diversity - federalism as a mechanism to accommodate ethnic diversity

This book argues that the development of ethnic 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.