Ethnic federalism is the legitimizing reason people are being killed in these so called "border" areas. Where people are not looking at each other like fellow citizens from different backgrounds but as invaders. That is why your tone strikes a cord with me because i feel like you think if this system goes away then millions of people are going to move to Tigray and make in not Tigryan anymore, which is insane!
As for the argument of people don't want to go an non-ethnic state...the current system is as old as TPLF. I have sibling who remember the time before this system and their in their thirties.
***Gets on Soapbox***
As a young, and i assume, educated man please reflect on what it is you are trying to preserve. Look at the bigger picture. You are certainly a recipient and product of a country that has instituted laws to bridge differences between people in the west. Which is why you are there. You know if some is to make you feel unwelcome, you will go to the law and they would be on your side (even if your an immigrant). This did not happen by miarcle it happened because people fought for those changes even though others wanted to keep the status quo.
The reason i am keep asking to articulate your point is because i want to know if you have reasoned out all the things you're saying and not regurgitating what you have heard your dad and uncle talk about while sitting at Starbucks. I know not going to lie, it's hard not to fall in to complacency (probably the biggest epidemic disease in Africa) and just stick with what we know, but we won't get anywhere if we do.
Change is necessary!
btw I rarely get to talk to my peers about Ethiopian politics, so i enjoy our discussions, and no, we don't have to agree, but i will continue to challenge you on this. I hope next time you can better explain your personal position.
***Gets off Soapbox***
I feel like Somalia is going through similar issues with our clan federalism. There are border disputes in almost all states and constant fighting going on. Some people also feel like, it'll cause more division and create an unwelcoming feeling when someone from a different clan lives in another region.
But I understand why, federalism and semi autonomy is necessary and I support it, because it gives the people of those regions the power to do things for themselves without waiting for the federal gov't to do things for them. Ethiopia before tplf and federalism had a majority of ethnic groups ignored and marginalized completely. Perhaps if there were ethnic states before, Eritrea would've still been apart of Ethiopia.
As an outsider observer, the TPLF regime has been the most accepting of muslims and allows for each state to preserve their culture and language. It has also been the first regime that has allowed development in the Somali regions in Ethiopia. I can see a stark difference in Jigjiga for example, universities, schools, hospitals, roads, businesses all seem to be growing there now.
From what I know, the amhara have always tried to impose their language, culture and not allow religious freedom in the country. Also completely marginalising most regions in Ethiopia.
Federalism in a stable country like Kenya though, I can see is working really well. People from each region represent their people as governors and its basically like Sim city. The best performing district last year was Wajir (A somali region that has barely had any development before).
. Even the states back then were partly ethnic.. You must really think getting rid of ethnic states will turn Ethiopia into Japan overnight
.
.
