The quest for autonomy and politicisation of differences in Ethiopia : the case of the Alle ethnic minority

Abstract

This thesis explores the quest for autonomy by the Alle ethnic minority and changing relationships in Konso-Dirashe-Alle areas of Southern Ethiopia. It also examines the causes of violent clashes between the Alle peasants and the security forces in 2008.

Alle people with many other diverse peoples were incorporated into the Ethiopian empire state in the late 19th century but living without equal entitlement as citizen of a political community. Glimpse of hope came in 1991 when current government constituted by the Ethiopia People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) made a radical restructuring of the Ethiopian empire state into an ethnic based federal state with an aim to end suppressive centralized control, redress grievances of different peoples and transform conflicts in the country. A new constitution which was put into practice in 1995 guarantees human and collective rights, such as rights to develop and use one’s own language, culture and history as well as to establish government institutions in one’s own territory.

Even if the theoretical framework of the constitution is minority friendly, the Alle ethnic group have not experienced the practical constitutional provisions. They continued the quest for autonomy and self-expression. They also continued their grievances. The purpose of the ruling government among the Alle people, on the other hand, has been marked by priority to get political support and strength its party base. The politics of difference that the local cadres of the ruling government use has almost ruined the peaceful intra-ethnic and interethnic interaction among the Alle and their neighbours. The Alle ethnic minority sense of insecurity has increased due to the policies from above which affect not only their individual and collective identity and relationships, but also their survival as human beings as their land is continued to be given to private investors. Thus, this thesis presents the subjective views of the Alle people in their continued quest for autonomy and self-expression. The possible violation of human and collective rights is implied. This thesis also calls for the enforcement of the existing constitutional provisions on human and collective rights for peaceful interactions and expressions of identities, particularly for ethnic minority.