National Electoral Board of Ethiopia Scheduled Sidama’s Referendum in November

Date:

Share post:

The National Electoral Board of Ethiopia (NEBE) announced on Thursday ethnic Sidama’s will have a referendum on 13 November 2019.

The board announced it would make arrangements for the referendum till then. Provisions include 1,692 polling stations and recruitment of 8,460 election officials.

Sidama, a zone in South Nations and Nationalities regional state have been rocked with mass demonstrations in an application for statehood for the past couple of months. Administration council of Sidama zone had requested the electoral board on 20 December 2019 to arrange a referendum.

The board doesn’t respond fast causing anger from Sidama ethnic-nationalists who threaten to declare Sidama’s statehood by themselves on 18 July 2019. One day earlier the electoral board released a statement: “[the board] implements the constitution article 47/3/B which states the deadline for arrangement process of a referendum after an appeal, which is one year.” at the time, seven months have passed since the appeal was made. The board promised to finish its preparation within the rest five months.

Later July 18, at least 17 (some reports say 60) people were killed in a clash between security forces and Sidama ethnic-nationalists. After that, a command post, lead by Federal security forces was imposed in Sidama and Southern region as well, which is being active until now.

Ethiopia’s electoral board said the referendum, on Nov. 13, would address “ethnic Sidama’s demand for regional statehood,” state-affiliated Fana said on its website.

Furthermore, the board requested the Southern region to allocate 75,645,000 ETB for the referendum process.

Ethiopia has nine regional states which enjoy a degree of autonomy under which they can choose their official language and have limited powers over taxation, education, health, and land administration.

In related news, South Nations Nationalities and People’s region has removed its president Million Matewos this week. The ethnic Sidama president administered the region for a year, and he will be expected to be replaced with the new president soon.

Addis Insight
Addis Insighthttps://addisinsight.net/
Addis Insight is Ethiopia’s fastest growing digital news platform, providing consumers with the latest news from Ethiopia and its diaspora. We provide marketers with innovative opportunities to leverage our stories and overall brand with a fiercely curious and highly engaged audience.
spot_img

Related articles

Inside Ethiopia’s First IMF Review: Progress, Challenges, and Strategic Adjustments

In a significant step to address longstanding economic challenges, the IMF recently completed its first review under the...

Ethiopia Extends Landmark $738 Million Loan to South Sudan for Cross-Border Infrastructure Project

In a historic first, Ethiopia has extended a loan exceeding $738 million to South Sudan, the world’s youngest...

Ethiopian Airlines Welcomes Africa’s First Airbus A350-1000 to Its Fleet!

In a landmark achievement for African aviation, Ethiopian Airlines has officially received Africa’s very first Airbus A350-1000 aircraft....

Ethiopia Opens Doors to Global Banking: Kenya, Morocco, and UAE Lead the Charge

Ethiopia is ushering in a new era of economic transformation by liberalizing its banking sector, allowing foreign banks...