Ethiopian Politics: Axiom #1

Ethnic federalism is the major source of conflict and instability in Ethiopia.

This is no theory - we have 28 years of accumulated empirical evidence in Ethiopia. A year and a half of which have been post-TPLF - a time of relative freedom and regional autonomy.

Further, we have a hundred years of modern-era evidence around the world showing that ethnic or "multinational" federations result in intractable conflict. Multicultural federations work, but not multinational ones.

Given this axiom, how can the very legitimate political aspirations of the various ethnic groups in Ethiopia be peacefully realized? Via multicultural federalism with strong regional autonomy. India, in other words. Change the constitution so that the entire "people of Ethiopia" are the primary rights/responsibility holders instead of nations, nationalities, and peoples. Ensure federal states are drawn in a way that allows ethnic groups significant political autonomy, but that this autonomy does not include owning land and relegating others to second class citizenship. Have the languages and cultures of all ethnic groups, especially the Oromo, given their numbers, properly reflected at the federal level. In other words, make Afaan Oromo a country-wide language.

This is a simple, easy win-win arrangement. Ethnic groups' desires are respected and fulfilled, but within a political system that does not generate constant conflict.