Ethiopia already has nine regional states, mainly along ethnic lines, with considerable autonomy which the Sidama also want. However, that has also brought a surge of long-repressed rivalries between Ethiopia's 80 plus ethnic groups, forcing 2.4 million people out of their homes and killing hundreds, according to the U.N. and monitoring groups. Ethiopia's constitution guarantees all ethnic groups the right to vote on forming a new regional state if their leaders request one, as the Sidama did on July 18, 2018. Sidama activists held a rally on Thursday in Hawassa, the capital of Southern Nations region and the city they want to be their capital. Crisis Group said at least eight more ethnic groups are campaigning for region status.

Source: Ethiopian News July 04, 2019 14:48 UTC