It is over two years since we have been hearing conflicts, displacement and killings related with the ownership of Wolkaite. The Amhara believe Wolkaite is Amhara land. Recently similar complaint has also been raised about Raya identity. The main justification they give for the ownership of the land is during the Region of king Haileslassie Wolkaite was part of Begemeder/Gondar province and Raya was part of Wello province (see Map1: the map of Ethiopia during king Haileslassie). During the regime of the Emperor Ethiopia had 14 provinces. Eritrea was the fourteenth province.
Map 1
Administrative Map of Ethiopia During the Regime of King Haileslassie
According to the above map the complaint of the Amhara appears correct. However, the claim does not go with reality on the ground. According to the constitution of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia the current political administration of the country is changed (it is mainly language and culture based). The current structure of Ethiopian has nine regions and two City Administrations (See Map 2: the current map of Ethiopia).
Map 2: Current Map of Ethiopia
The regional state of Oromia was created by bringing together different provinces (Arsi, Bale and parts of Wolega, Shoa and Ilubabor) . Similarly, Gambela, Benishangul, Harar, Somali were established according to the cultural and language background of the country.
Benishangul was established partly from Wolega and Metekel/Gojjam. Shewa province was considered as Amhara. Now part of Shoa is under Oromia Administration and Part of it under Amhara.
The Afar regional state was created partly from the land that was under Tigray and Wollo provinces. During the Haileslassie regime, the mineral rich Dallol area of Afar was under Tigray Administration. Wolkaite (Begemider) and Alamata Raya from Wello) were organized under Tigray Regional state because of the historical and cultural background. If it was for resources, the land of Afar that was part of Tigray has minerals and is tourist destination. History also tells Wolkaite was taken from Tigray during the region of Minilik and included with Begemidir. Similarly, Raya was split into two and part of it was included with Wello province by king Haileslassie. The people who live in theses area are Tigrigna speaking.
Contrary to the reality, the Amhara look mainly interested in expansion of land. If the Amhara are going to claim land that were considered as Amhara (Begemeder, Gojjam, Wello and Shewa), they have to claim not only Raya and Wolekait (from Tigray), but also part of Afar, Part of Show from Oromia and Metekel from Benshangul. The regional states who are enjoin self-administration and using their mother’s language can’t accept to go to the central government. Do you think the Oromo can accept to be splitted to the previous 5 provinces?
The claim of the Amhara is against the constitution and the federal system. Being part of the federal administration, one cannot claim the imperial Administration system. They have to understand the old imperial government is buried and can’t come back. No power can reverse the federal system. The armed struggle that many young Ethiopians have died for is to bring the Federal system. In the absence of the federal system, I don’t think united Ethiopia could exist. The nations and nationalities who fought for self-administration would not accept the ambition of the former rulers. It should be clear that no one can take Ethiopia back to its past, where all its nations and nationalities have no equal right and even some of them have no any recognition.
In recent demonstrations held in major towns of Amhara region, one of the slogans say “our border is Tekeze River”. This like declaring war. This is against the constitution. In line with this claim, about a year ago they have displaced, killed, looted property of thousands of Tigreans who lived in Amhara Regional State. Very recently more than 300 people with Tigray origin escaped to Sudan to save their lives. Their properties were destroyed some also have died and wounded.
I don’t understand who is benefitting from such conflict. Rather than destabilizing the peace of the people in the name of land/identity claim everybody can benefit from addressing problems through negotiation and according the law of the land.
If the request of Raya and Wolkaite is genuine identity question raised by the people who live in Wolkait and Raya they have to submit their claims according to the provision in the constitution.
The Federal government of Ethiopia has the obligation to protect the constitutional right of citizens to work and live in any part of the country. Although, the Ethiopian constitution has provision how to solve boarder/land claims, the government of Prime Minster Abiy Ahmed has giving blind eye to the continuous displacements of people in Amhara and other regions. How can a government that claim standing for the people bypass such mass displacements? What is the task of a government that cannot protect the constitution and the public? How can one think integration of the horn of Africa before stabilizing the people of land?
The media especially the government medias have not said anything about this genocide type act being observed in the Amhara regional state and elsewhere. The news was reported by social media, BBC and VOA. Where is the promise of transparency, peace and integrity?
God bless Ethiopia
(Source: Aiga Forum)
Aksum Post notes:
The current Ethnic Federalism and internal boundaries of Ethiopia need to be reviewed. If people have claims and counter claims, then there is something wrong. For example, The Oromia Regional State is created on basis of language affinity. Areas, where the majority speak Oromo Lnaguage, were designated as belonging to Ormo Regional State. However, historically, Shoa, home to King Menelik II, has been part of Amhara. There is political expediency and opportunism in creating an internal boundary, which has no historical basis. The Afar Region is created by giving away territory from Tigray. Dallol used to be part of Tigray during Haile Selassie and Mengistu Hailemariam. Meles Zenawi was not right to take away Dallol and put it under Afar. Both Amhara and Tigray should not fight over territory. They should settle any issues using the constitution by bringing forth historical evidences. We note Amhara and Tigray are unjustly treated by EPRDF. The Amhara should claim lands in Harar, where King Haile Sealssie was born and also Bale , Wollega etc used to be part of the Amhara people. Why did TPLF-EPRDF favour Oromos and Somalis? The Ethnic Federalism in Ethiopia today should be modified taking historical facts into account. We think the provincial form of administration under Derg or Haile Selassie with federal arrangement for economic and cultural purposes is the option.The boundary between Ethiopia and Eritrea should be delimited on the basis of historical evidence.It is unwise to South Mereb Region to Eritrea because Eritreans calim it to be theirs. The treaty between Italy and Ethiopia in 1890 and subsequent to that in 1896 should be the basis.
Map 1
Administrative Map of Ethiopia During the Regime of King Haileslassie
According to the above map the complaint of the Amhara appears correct. However, the claim does not go with reality on the ground. According to the constitution of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia the current political administration of the country is changed (it is mainly language and culture based). The current structure of Ethiopian has nine regions and two City Administrations (See Map 2: the current map of Ethiopia).
Map 2: Current Map of Ethiopia
The regional state of Oromia was created by bringing together different provinces (Arsi, Bale and parts of Wolega, Shoa and Ilubabor) . Similarly, Gambela, Benishangul, Harar, Somali were established according to the cultural and language background of the country.
Benishangul was established partly from Wolega and Metekel/Gojjam. Shewa province was considered as Amhara. Now part of Shoa is under Oromia Administration and Part of it under Amhara.
The Afar regional state was created partly from the land that was under Tigray and Wollo provinces. During the Haileslassie regime, the mineral rich Dallol area of Afar was under Tigray Administration. Wolkaite (Begemider) and Alamata Raya from Wello) were organized under Tigray Regional state because of the historical and cultural background. If it was for resources, the land of Afar that was part of Tigray has minerals and is tourist destination. History also tells Wolkaite was taken from Tigray during the region of Minilik and included with Begemidir. Similarly, Raya was split into two and part of it was included with Wello province by king Haileslassie. The people who live in theses area are Tigrigna speaking.
Contrary to the reality, the Amhara look mainly interested in expansion of land. If the Amhara are going to claim land that were considered as Amhara (Begemeder, Gojjam, Wello and Shewa), they have to claim not only Raya and Wolekait (from Tigray), but also part of Afar, Part of Show from Oromia and Metekel from Benshangul. The regional states who are enjoin self-administration and using their mother’s language can’t accept to go to the central government. Do you think the Oromo can accept to be splitted to the previous 5 provinces?
The claim of the Amhara is against the constitution and the federal system. Being part of the federal administration, one cannot claim the imperial Administration system. They have to understand the old imperial government is buried and can’t come back. No power can reverse the federal system. The armed struggle that many young Ethiopians have died for is to bring the Federal system. In the absence of the federal system, I don’t think united Ethiopia could exist. The nations and nationalities who fought for self-administration would not accept the ambition of the former rulers. It should be clear that no one can take Ethiopia back to its past, where all its nations and nationalities have no equal right and even some of them have no any recognition.
In recent demonstrations held in major towns of Amhara region, one of the slogans say “our border is Tekeze River”. This like declaring war. This is against the constitution. In line with this claim, about a year ago they have displaced, killed, looted property of thousands of Tigreans who lived in Amhara Regional State. Very recently more than 300 people with Tigray origin escaped to Sudan to save their lives. Their properties were destroyed some also have died and wounded.
I don’t understand who is benefitting from such conflict. Rather than destabilizing the peace of the people in the name of land/identity claim everybody can benefit from addressing problems through negotiation and according the law of the land.
If the request of Raya and Wolkaite is genuine identity question raised by the people who live in Wolkait and Raya they have to submit their claims according to the provision in the constitution.
The Federal government of Ethiopia has the obligation to protect the constitutional right of citizens to work and live in any part of the country. Although, the Ethiopian constitution has provision how to solve boarder/land claims, the government of Prime Minster Abiy Ahmed has giving blind eye to the continuous displacements of people in Amhara and other regions. How can a government that claim standing for the people bypass such mass displacements? What is the task of a government that cannot protect the constitution and the public? How can one think integration of the horn of Africa before stabilizing the people of land?
The media especially the government medias have not said anything about this genocide type act being observed in the Amhara regional state and elsewhere. The news was reported by social media, BBC and VOA. Where is the promise of transparency, peace and integrity?
God bless Ethiopia
(Source: Aiga Forum)
Aksum Post notes:
The current Ethnic Federalism and internal boundaries of Ethiopia need to be reviewed. If people have claims and counter claims, then there is something wrong. For example, The Oromia Regional State is created on basis of language affinity. Areas, where the majority speak Oromo Lnaguage, were designated as belonging to Ormo Regional State. However, historically, Shoa, home to King Menelik II, has been part of Amhara. There is political expediency and opportunism in creating an internal boundary, which has no historical basis. The Afar Region is created by giving away territory from Tigray. Dallol used to be part of Tigray during Haile Selassie and Mengistu Hailemariam. Meles Zenawi was not right to take away Dallol and put it under Afar. Both Amhara and Tigray should not fight over territory. They should settle any issues using the constitution by bringing forth historical evidences. We note Amhara and Tigray are unjustly treated by EPRDF. The Amhara should claim lands in Harar, where King Haile Sealssie was born and also Bale , Wollega etc used to be part of the Amhara people. Why did TPLF-EPRDF favour Oromos and Somalis? The Ethnic Federalism in Ethiopia today should be modified taking historical facts into account. We think the provincial form of administration under Derg or Haile Selassie with federal arrangement for economic and cultural purposes is the option.The boundary between Ethiopia and Eritrea should be delimited on the basis of historical evidence.It is unwise to South Mereb Region to Eritrea because Eritreans calim it to be theirs. The treaty between Italy and Ethiopia in 1890 and subsequent to that in 1896 should be the basis.
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