Minority Right In Federal Ethiopia Case Study Of Fuga Minority In Oromia Regional State Of Dire Enchini Woreda

After the fall of the military regime in 1991,the FDRE government come up with promises andrnsight of hope for the respect and promotion of human rights, ethnic minority recognition asrnwell as representation in the political process of the country. The FDRE Constitution madernEthiopian state into an ethnic based federal state with an aim to end oppressive centralizedrncontrol. By constitution all Nations, Nationalities and Peoples have also the right to havernequitable representation in the Federal and State governments (The 1995 FDRErnConstitution , Article 39:3). There are extensive constitutional devolution of power to ethnicrngroups in Ethiopia including minority to recognize, self-govern and represents themselves at anyrnlevel of governments. Sovereign power resides in each „nation, nationality and people (seernPreamble and article 8 of the FDRE Constitution. However the FDRE Constitution hasrnestablished only nine regional states and two city administration ruled by the Federalrngovernments for more than 80 ethnic groups of the country. In some regional states of Ethiopiarnthe right to self-determination is most likely to be solved practically by giving groups their ownrnzone or special Woreda administration at the local level within the member states of thernfederation. This means that most ethnically based struggles are scaled down to zone and Woredarnlevel.Oromia Regional State is not homogenous state. There are indigenous and non-indigenousrnethnic minority in Oromia region. The Constitution of Oromia does not recognize the existencernand the distinct identity of ethnic minority groups in this region though the 2007 populationrncensus indicates that there are almost all dispersed ethnic groups in this region. The findingsrnrevealed that not all minorities in Oromia Regional State are treated equally though thernconstitution of the region hardly recognize-s any minority .For instance, Amhara minority inrnOromia region are more benefited than marginalized Fuga minority. Primary education isrndelivered in Amharic depending on the preference of the students.There are also Amharicrnbroadcasting programs on Oromia TV and Radio. Proc. No.116/2006, which encourages thernexistence and representation of non-Oromo-ethnic groups, recognized only minority lived inrn1rnstrnand 2rnndrngrade cities of Oromia. However, the Fuga marginalized minority lives in the ruralrnareas not benefited from this proclamation.To study this research I used qualitative methods ofrndata analysis such as FGD, Interview and Observation. The study concluded that the Fugarnmarginalized minorities of Dire Enchini Woreda, accounting the largest minority in the Woreda,rnhave no any representation in the Woreda Council and Administrative Council, not recognizedrnas distinct ethnic group, are not able to exercise the right to develop and promote their culture,rnno access to education. They grouped under low social status. They are socially, economicallyrnand politically highly excluded from any spheres of participation.They have unique cultures, eatrnwhat is despised (not eaten by Oromo farmers like died animalsprevent them in fullrnparticipation of the group in the wider society. They are craft workers and no have excess landsrnto cultivate.rnKey wordsDire Enchiniworeda; Minorities; Fugas;Federalism; marginalized

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