Ethiopia’s regional frictions may worsen this month if the small Sidama ethnic group makes good on its threat to unilaterally declare a new semi-autonomous region in defiance of the federal government.
The Sidama make up about 5 percent of Ethiopia’s 105 million people and are the largest of more than half a dozen ethnic groups in the Southern Nations region. Members say they will declare their own region on July 18 unless granted a referendum.
Ethiopia already has nine regional states, mainly along ethnic lines, with considerable autonomy which the Sidama also want.