Federalism
is one of the most misunderstood concepts in Ethiopia. A quick search on
Google defines Federalism as follows: (Wikipedia)
combining a general government (the central or 'federal' government) with regional governments (provincial, state, cantonal, territorial or other sub-unit governments) in a single political system. Its distinctive feature, exemplified in the founding example of modern federalism by the United States of America under the It can thus be defined as a form of government in which there is a division of powers between two levels of government of equal status.
In principle, it is safe to assume that the readers acknowledge a federal system and a unitary system - two popular forms of governance arrangements - are normal administrative structures. Of course, there are variations of these systems that policy makers may devise to suit their own unique situations.
In federal structures of the proper form, all units that constitute the federation – the central government and regional/ state governments - are assumed to have equal status. Hence, when the Ethiopian constitution states that power is given to the central government by the people (nationalities, people, etc..) they do so because they believed in one united Ethiopia that protects their local as well as national (Ethiopian) interest.
The jurisdictional power that the central government possess is meant to protect and supplement the interest of all the constituent parts of the country. The Federal government is responsible in maintaining good foreign relations, establishing an efficient and capable military establishment to defend the interest of the country as stated in the constitution, and protect national wealth such as minerals and federal lands.
