The number of Internally Displaced People (IDP) continues to rise even after the nation appeared hopeful following the ascension of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed to power, as reported by Wazema on June 1, 2018. The government has remained quiet about the increasing displacements.
According to Wazema, over 800,000 ethnic Oromos have recently been displaced from the Somali region, and Amharas have been displaced since the onset of ethnic federalism in the country, with this trend continuing. Wazema posed questions about these displacements, and we roughly translated their analysis as follows:
Who Is Displacing Amharas?
Amharas have been subjected to displacement for over two decades. However, no independent study has been conducted on the numbers, perpetrators, or the displacement process to determine whether these actions amount to ethnic cleansing.
Nevertheless, the latest Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC) report concludes that ethnic-based displacement has been on the rise. There has been labeling of people based on their identity, leading to robbery, property destruction, house burnings, and even killings. The main victims have been Amharas living in Oromia, Benishangul-Gumuz, and SNNP regions.
During the transition period of the 1990s, when the Oromo Liberation Army administered Oromia (then called Region 4), Amharas were massacred and displaced from places like Arsi, and no one was held accountable. This massacre highlighted the need for Amharas to have real political representation and led to the formation of the All-Amhara People’s Party.
Recently, over 500 Amharas displaced from Benishangul Gumuz were reported to have settled in Bahir Dar.
Ethnic-based Federalism: Although the Ethiopian federal system is based on ethnicity and languages, people from different ethnic backgrounds live together throughout the country. The constitution gives citizens the right to liberty of movement, and to live anywhere in the country. However, the constitution grants the right to administration and ownership of the state to the nations and nationalities rather than to individual citizens living in that region. This has consequently made ethnic majorities feel entitled and pushed minorities out of their region labeling them as outsiders.
The narrative against Amharas: The Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) and other ethnically organized parties have been persistently pushing a narrative labeling Amharas as a ruling class that has been leading the nation by subjugating other ethnic groups. This message is believed to have created resentment among low-level cadres and administrations against Amharas . However, the federal government argues that the rise in displacement is a misinterpretation of the federal system by low-level administration officials and cadres.
Fading of National Identity: The federal government has been negligent in upholding national symbols and values that help to create a common economic and political community while strengthening ethnic identity. There was not enough discussion on why Ethiopian citizens were treated as outsiders in their own country.
The majority of Amharas in Benishangul, Oromia, and SNNP, who are considered as ‘outsiders’, settled there following past government settlement programs and individual movements. Speaking to the parliament on the causes of displacement, Prime Minister Meles said, people are displaced because they are causing deforestation and damaging the land of the existing people. This sentiment inevitably runs through the local officials. However, most of the displacement occurred from places with large lush land where land and other resources were not observed as reasons.
Who are the actors?
Most of the Amhara IDPs agreed that they have been living in harmony with the other ethnic groups. There was no evidence showing conflict in the communities due to their differences in culture, religion, or politics. However, IDPs claim low-level government administrations have been the problem.
The lack of accountability of those actors involved in displacement is believed to create an enabling environment for the perpetrators to continue with their actions. Regional police and militias are believed to give coverups instead of enforcing the rule of law. Despite years of displacement, It was only last year that SNNP held local administrators and law enforcement to account for the displacement in Gura Ferda.
In general, it is possible to say that the displacements are political. There is a great danger that it can be institutionalized and become economical too. Individuals involved in the actual displacement also take over the resources that the IDPs leave behind.
The main beneficiaries of of the displacements are ethnic politicians as it is helping them circumvent creating political structures that represent the minority ethnic groups. this situation denies minorities the right to run for office as there is no party representing their ethnic group. Currently, It is only in Amhara minorities have political representation.
The regional government claims they are working on resettling the IDPs but there was no meaningful practice witnessed on the ground. They are not seen holding responsible parties accountable or ensuring sustainable safety and security for the IDPS to return.
Solution
The Ethiopian constitution provides the legal framework to secure the right of the people to live anywhere in the country. However, the constitution is undermined by the practice of ethnic-based displacement. Institutions including as House of Federation and Parlament, EHRC, and Regional government are among the institutions responsible to provide resolve to the issue. However ethnic displacement has not become their priority. It has also not become the new Prime Minister’s agenda.
The minimum attention given to the grave situation of displacements implies that there is a strong backing of displacement behind the scenes.
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