Federalism and Intergovernmental Relations in Ethiopia: A Critical Analysis of the Political Challenges of Afar-Federal Interaction (1991-2020)

Abstract

The objective of this paper is to analyze the intergovernmental relations between the federal government and the Afar regional state and their implications for the underdevelopment of the Afar region The data for this paper were gathered through a combination of qualitative and quantitative methods as well as a review of published and unpublished documents Specific tools for primary data collection include observation focus group discussion and key informant interviews Electronic recording was used in the process of gathering appropriate data from the various categories of people in the region The quantitative data was gathered through the administration of a questionnaire Intergovernmental relations are a ubiquitous dimension of federal systems despite differences among federations True federalism and its implementation necessitate consistent intergovernmental relations principles and practices The cooperation effort among the different levels of government needs to be backed by well-designed and institutionalized intergovernmental relations Different research indicates that the formal vertical and horizontal structures of intergovernmental relations in Ethiopia are characterized by un- institutionalized structures due to the absence of an institutionalized intergovernmental relations system The party channel relations between the legislative and executive branches of the two levels of government and the provision of special assistance to developing regional states have all served as intergovernmental relations mechanisms in Ethiopia The paper concludes that the affiliation relationship between the Ethiopian People s Revolutionary Democratic Front and Afar National Democratic Party has undermined the autonomous status of Afar Regional State and the special support provided to Afar Regional State has not helped to bring the intended socio- economic development in Afar Regional State