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Decentralization as a Solution to the Problem of Cultured Diversity: An Example from Ethiopia

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 March 2011

John Hamer
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Abstract

The failure of the nation state in sub‐Saharan Africa has been a topic of great concern in recent years. In this article I explore in detail the historical experience of one ethnic group in the Horn of Africa, the Sidāma, and show how the nation state has had a comparatively negative effect upon another group in southern Ethiopia, the Maale. For the Sidāma, historic disparagement by the state, though discouraged by the present Ethiopian government, is shown to continue into the present in regard to dispute settlement and policy making by the elders. The Maale, though different in culture and social structure, experienced similar distrust and disparagement in Ethiopia's revolutionary period (1974–91). In the case of the Sidāma, indications are that this has continued into the post‐revolutionary period of state‐sponsored parliamentary democracy.

As a solution I propose the ‘indirect state’ as a means not simply of maintaining the past culture of the Sidāma, but also of encouraging the people to originate change for themselves. Rather than institutional edicts being imposed from above by the nation state, the people will, in conjunction with other ethnic groups, negotiate both vertically and horizontally to reach consensual agreements for change.

Résumé

L'échec de l'État-nation en Afrique sub-saharienne est un sujet de grande préoccupation depuis quelques années. Dans cet article, l'auteur étudie dans le détail l'expérience historique d'un groupe ethnique de la Corne de l'Afrique, les Sidāma, et montre comment l'Etat-nation a eu un effet relativement négatif sur un autre groupe du Sud de l' É thiopie, les Maale. Pour les Sidāma, le dénigrement historique par l'Etat est encore pratiqué en ce qui concerne le réglement des conflits et les prises de décision par les anciens, môme si le gouvernement éthiopien actuel le décourage. Les Maale, bien que différents par leur culture et leur structure sociale, ont fait l'objet d'une méfiance et d'un dénigrement comparables au cours de la période révolutionnaire de l'É thiopie (1974–91). Dans le cas des Sidāma, des éléments indiquent que cette situation s'est poursuivie dans la période post-révolutionnaire de démocratie parlementaire d'Etat.

En guise de solution, l'auteur propose “l'État indirect” comme moyen non seulement de maintenir la culture passée des Sidāma, mais également d'encourager les individus á engendrer le changement pour eux-mêmes. Aulieu de se voir imposer des décrets institutionnels par l'É tat-nation, les individus négocieront, tant verticalement qu'horizontalement, pour arriver á un accord consensuel pour le changement, en liaison avec d'autres groupes ethniques.

Type
Research Article
Information
Africa , Volume 77 , Issue 2 , May 2007 , pp. 207 - 225
Copyright
Copyright © International African Institute 2007

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