2026/03/17 by Awol Ali Mohammed · 1 voice
Social Sciences · #African history and culture analysis #Local Economic Development and Planning #African studies and sociopolitical issues
paper · doi:10.1080/13597566.2026.2646180
openalex publication_date 2026/03/17 · openalex created_date 2026/03/18 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28
This study examines the feasibility and sustainability of newly established regional states within Ethiopia's federal system. Since 2018, Ethiopia has created four new regional states through a process that combines constitutional referenda with a top-down ‘clustering’ strategy, fundamentally reconfiguring the federation's territorial architecture. The study employed a qualitative research approach. The findings underscore several critical issues. Firstly, while the constitutional framework outlines procedures for state formation, it lacks mechanisms to assess the economic viability of proposed states. This gap raises concerns about whether the ‘clustering’ basis of state formation – amalgamating multiple ethnic groups into larger conglomerate states – can ensure autonomy, administrative efficiency, and service delivery, potentially exacerbating rather than mitigating ethnic tensions. Secondly, newly established states often encounter institutional fragility and internal conflicts, complicating the establishment of effective governance frameworks and stability. These fundamentally affect the feasibility and sustainability of newly established regional states.