‘Indigenous’ and ‘Non-indigenous’ People’s Rights in Benishangul-Gumuz Regional State: The Right to Political Participation of ‘Non-indigenous’ People in Bambasi Woreda
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Date
2015
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Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Abstract
The right to political participation, as stated under the UDHR and ICCPR, is a basic right of
human beings that influence the inter-relation and interaction of human beings. Ethiopia, as
signatory of these international human right instruments, the FDRE constitution stipulates the
right to political participation right of all Nation, Nationalities and People of the country without
any discrimination. However, regional states, like Benishangul-Gumuz, had face serious criticism
that ‘non-indigenous’ people are face serious problem in the enjoyment of their right to political
participation. Hence, this research has aimed to assess the political participation of ‘nonindigenous’
people of Benishangul-Gumuz Regional State: case study of Bambasi woreda. It looks
and measures the participation of ‘non-indigenous’ people in public decision making and assess
the ‘indigenous’ vs. ‘non-indigenous’ composition of institution of Bambasi Woreda
administration and normative instruments for the accommodation and consideration of the right
to political participation of ‘non-indigenous’ people. In investigating reliable data, the researcher
utilizes qualitative research approaches unstructured in-depth interview, key informant interview
and field observation as data collection instruments with different documents and articles. As
finding of the study reveals, the right to political participation has been shortened by normative
and institutional constraints that range from the federal up-to kebele administration level. Hence,
it is highly recommended that there must be a structural change that helps to establish an inclusive
normative and administrative institution that range from the reconsideration of ‘non-indigenous
people up to constitutional amendment and re-institutionalization of the administration.
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Keywords
Indigenous, Non-Indigenous, Political Participation, Right to Political Participation