Ethiopia’s Sidama people vote on making a new regional state
There was a heavy security presence at the referendum — a likely precursor to many more that will test demands for regional autonomy
20 November 2019 - 16:36
Nairobi — Ethiopia’s ethnic Sidama people voted on Wednesday in a referendum on creating a new regional state, the likely precursor to a series of plebiscites that will test demands for more autonomy.
Besides offering an indication of the Horn of Africa nation’s ability to hold a peaceful general election slated for 2020, it will also gauge whether the country’s political model of ethnic federalism can accommodate growing calls for self-determination amid clashes between groups...
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