2023 South Ethiopia Region referendum

Last updated

2023 South Ethiopia Region referendum
Flag of the Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples' Region.svg
6 February 2023
Do you support the organisation of the six zones (Konso, Wolayita, South Omo, Gamo, Gedeo, Gofa) and the special woredas (Burji, Basketo, Ale, Amaro, Dirashe) into one common region?
Results
Choice
Votes %
Check-71-128-204-brightblue.svgYes2,398,46995.22%
Light brown x.svgNo120,5014.78%
Valid votes2,518,97096.73%
Invalid or blank votes85,1893.27%
Total votes2,604,159100.00%
Registered voters/turnout2,791,88293.28%
EthiopiaReferendum-2023.png
Results by zone and woreda

On 6 February 2023 a referendum was held in the Wolayita, Gamo, Gofa, South Omo, Gedeo, and Konso Zones, as well as the Dirashe, Amaro, Burji, Ale, and Basketo special woredas of the Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples' Region (SNNP) of Ethiopia, on whether the included areas should leave SNNP and form their own Region.

Contents

This referendum follows two previous referendums from 2019 and 2021 in other areas of the then-SNNP, both of which resulted in votes to split off into new regions.

The referendum was tentatively approved, although Wolayita Zone had to rerun voting after it was found that irregularities were present. The approval of the new region in the other zones and woredas was conveyed to the national House of Federation by the SNNP government. The new region's name was set as the South Ethiopia Region. Wolayita Zone reran the referendum successfully in the summer, with a majority also voting in favor of a new region. The House of Federation unanimously voted in favour of the creation of the new region on 5 July 2023. [1] [2] The remaining part of the SNNP was renamed to the Central Ethiopia Region. [3] [4]

Background

The Constitution of Ethiopia grants every ethnic group the right to have their own region in Ethiopia. The Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples' Region (SNNP) previously contained 56 ethnic groups. The ascension of prime minister Abiy Ahmed in 2018, along with his promises for reforms, reignited demands for autonomy by some ethnic groups in SNNP. [5] [6] The 2019 Sidama Region referendum saw the Sidama Region split off from the SNNP. A similar referendum in 2021 saw 5 zones and 1 special woreda leave the SNNP and form the new South West Region. [7]

At the end of July 2022, 10 zones and 6 special woredas in SNNP passed resolutions aiming to split off two new states from what remained of the SNNP. These resolutions were greeted positively by the SNNP government. [8] (There were reports that the Gurage Zone was also involved, however it wished to continue with a proposal it had submitted on 26 November 2018 to become its own region. [9] )

The South Ethiopia Region (in purple) following the 2023 referendum and secession, note the territory that split off following the 2019 Sidama Region referendum and the 2021 South West Region referendum (in pink and lighter purple), as well as the Central region that did not have a referendum and did not secede, hence being somewhat of a successor to the former big region. Map of zones of Ethiopia.svg
The South Ethiopia Region (in purple) following the 2023 referendum and secession, note the territory that split off following the 2019 Sidama Region referendum and the 2021 South West Region referendum (in pink and lighter purple), as well as the Central region that did not have a referendum and did not secede, hence being somewhat of a successor to the former big region.

On 5 August, the SNNP Council submitted the requests to the House of Federation. The Speaker of the House of Federation noted that the House would come to a quick decision, [10] and tasked the National Election Board of Ethiopia with looking into carrying out the referendums. [11] Official approval of the referendum by the House of Federation for the proposal given by from 6 zones and 5 special woredas occurred on 18 August. Specifically, this was for the Wolayita, Gamo, Gofa, South Omo, Gedeo, and Konso Zones, as well as the Dirashe, Amaro, Burji, Ale, and Basketo special woredas. (The simultaneous request, from the Hadiya, Halaba, Kembata Tembaro, and Silte Zones, and the Yem Special Woreda request has not yet been acted upon.) [12] The House of Federation requested the referendum, for a new South Ethiopia Region, be held within three months. [13]

In September the National Election Board submitted a budget request to the House of Peoples' Representatives. [11]

On 10 October the National Election Board announced that a referendum would be held in parts of Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples' Region on 6 February, targeting results to be released on 15 February. [7] Campaigning began on 17 October, and voter registration ran for two weeks beginning on 20 December. [14] By 9 January, 2,934,143 voters had registered, and registration for 24 polling stations was extended. [15]

Logistics

The National Election Board expected to hire 18,885 people, and requested 541,270,104.82 birr to carry out the referendum. [7] 410.1 million birr was given. [16] 5,200 election observers from Ethiopia and elsewhere were expected. [15]

3,771 polling stations were set up, divided into 31 groups. [17] These are expected to see around 3 million voters. [16] Each polling station is expected to release its results over the five days following the referendum. [14] To assist those with reading difficulties, each option on the referendum was also represented by an easily identifiable symbol: a white dove for a vote in favor of a new region, and a hut for a vote against.

Results

Full results were initially expected on 15 February, [7] [18] and partial results were released on 18 February. [19] The National Election Board announced on 20 February that a majority had voted to secede, although the official results from the Wolayita Zone were still pending as the board stated a variety of irregularities occurred before and during the vote. These irregularities are possibly due to a longstanding campaign for Wolayita to become a region on its own. Of the areas with approved results, the largest opposition came from the Gedeo zone. [20] The referendum in the Wolayita Zone was rerun on 19 June, [21] [22] and its results were released eight days later. [23]

ChoiceVotes%
For2,398,46995.22
Against120,5014.78
Total2,518,970100.00
Valid votes2,518,97096.73
Invalid/blank votes85,1893.27
Total votes2,604,159100.00
Registered voters/turnout2,791,88293.28
Source: NEBE (summary). Wolayita: NEBE

Result by subdivision

SubdivisionFor%Against%InvalidRegistered votersTurnout %
Wolayita Zone 752,04494.7741,5315.2344,938840,22699.80
Konso Zone 101,11498.171,8901.832,180111,56194.28
South Omo Zone 256,15997.955,3642.055,273297,94889.54
Gamo Zone 583,75798.379,6821.638,141630,34095.44
Gedeo Zone 241,69583.7946,74916.2111,941372,75480.59
Gofa Zone 243,32795.1912,3064.818,471289,30791.29
Burji special woreda 28,46097.387652.6267636,12382.78
Basketo special woreda 27,67496.071,1333.931,09832,63991.62
Ale special woreda 22,39598.194121.8171029,95078.52
Amaro special woreda 90,37799.762160.2459894,23396.77
Dirashe special woreda 51,46799.134530.871,16356,80193.45

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples' Region</span> 1992–2023 regional state of Ethiopia

The Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples' Region was a regional state in southwestern Ethiopia. It was formed from the merger of five kililoch, called Regions 7 to 11, following the regional council elections on 21 June 1992. Its government was based in Hawassa.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sidama Region</span> Regional state of Ethiopia

The Sidama Region is a regional state in southern Ethiopia. It was formed on 18 June 2020 from the Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples' Region (SNNPR) and transformation of the Sidama Zone after a 98.52% vote in favour of increased autonomy in the 2019 Sidama referendum. It is the second smallest regional state in the country, after Harari. Sidama is the name of both the Sidama people and Sidama territory. Sidama is bordered to the south by the Oromia Region (except for a short stretch in the middle where it shares a border with Gedeo zone, in South Ethiopia Regional State, on the west by the Bilate River, which separates it from Wolayita Zone, and on the north and east by the Oromia Region. Towns in Sidama include Hawassa, the capital of Sidama and of SNNPR when it existed, Yirgalem, Wondogenet, Chuko, Hula, Bona, Bursa, Bensa, and Aleta Wendo. Sidama has a population of around 3.2 million in 2017 who speak the Cushitic language Sidama.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Subdivisions of Ethiopia</span> Administrative units of Ethiopia

Ethiopia is administratively divided into four levels: regions, zones, woredas (districts) and kebele (wards). The country comprises 12 regions and two city administrations under these regions, plenty of zones, woredas and neighbourhood administration: kebeles. In addition to the Twelve federal states within the country, there are two federal-level city administrations in Addis Ababa and Dire Dava.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wolayita Zone</span> Zone in the South Ethiopia Regional State

Wolayita or Wolaita is an administrative zone in Ethiopia. Wolayita is bordered on the south by Gamo Zone, on the west by the Omo River which separates it from Dawro, on the northwest by Kembata Zone and Tembaro Special Woreda, on the north by Hadiya, on the northeast by the Oromia Region, on the east by the Bilate River which separates it from Sidama Region, and on the south east by the Lake Abaya which separates it from Oromia Region. The administrative centre of Wolayita is Sodo. Other major towns are Areka, Boditi, Tebela, Bale Hawassa, Gesuba, Gununo, Bedessa and Dimtu.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Megaliths in Ethiopia</span>

Megaliths in Ethiopia are large, monumental stones, that exist in Ethiopia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2019 Sidama Region referendum</span> Secessionist referendum in Ethiopia

A referendum on the creation of a Sidama Region was held on regionalisation in the Sidama Zone of Ethiopia on 20 November 2019. The creation of such a region is a long-standing claim of the Sidama people.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ethiopian civil conflict (2018–present)</span> Episode of intrastate conflicts during Abiy Ahmeds administration

Following the 2018 dissolution of the ethnic federalist, dominant party political coalition, the Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front, there was an increase in tensions within the country, with newly resurgent regional and ethnically based factions carrying out armed attacks on military and civilians in multiple conflicts throughout Ethiopia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bale Hawassa</span> City in Wolaita, Ethiopia

Bale Hawassa(Wolaytta: Bale Hawaassa) or in short Bale is a city in Wolayita Zone of South Ethiopia Regional State, Ethiopia. The city is one of seven city administrations in Wolaita Zone. It is administrative capital of Kindo Koysha district of Wolayita Zone, Ethiopia. Bale is located about 400 km away from Addis Ababa to the south on the path Addis-Butajira-Sodo and 38 km westward from Sodo, the capital of Wolaita Zone. The city has an average elevation 1500 meter above sea level. Bale Hawassa lies between 6°55'05" North, and 37°31'55" East.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tebela</span> City in Wolaita, Ethiopia

Tebela or (Wolaita: Xabala) is a city in Wolaita Zone South Ethiopia Regional State. Tebela is an administrative capital of Humbo woreda district of Wolayita Zone. Tebela is located about 345 km away from Addis Ababa to the south. And also, Tebela is located 20 km, South from Sodo, the capital of the region and also Wolayita Zone. The coordinate point of the town in map is 6°42′24″N 37°46′10″E. The amenities in the town are; 24 hours electricity, pure public water, banks, primary and secondary schools, postal service, telecommunications services health centre, private clinics, drugs store, public market, public road light around high ways, internal and town crossing asphalt roads and others.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kercheche</span> Town in Wolaita, Ethiopia

Kercheche or is a town in Diguna Fango woreda, Wolayita Zone of South Ethiopia Regional State. Kercheche is about 10 km (6.2 mi) north of Bedessa and about 8 km (5.0 mi) southwest of Bitena on the road of Sodo-Dimtu Hawassa. The approximate distance from the city of Addis Ababa to the town is 362 km (225 mi) on Addis-Hawassa-Dimtu-Sodo road. It is 38 km (24 mi) from Sodo, the capital of Wolayita Zone. The coordinate point of Kercheche lies between 6°57'21"N 37°59'29"E. The amenities in the town are 24-hours electric light, pure water service, kindergarten, primary school, high school, all time market, health stations and others. Kercheche has also dry weather and all weather roads which connect it to other surrounding areas.

Kawo Koysha is one of the woredas in the South Ethiopia Regional State of Ethiopia part of the Wolayita Zone. Kawo Koysha is bordered on the south by Offa woreda, on the west by the Kindo Didaye, on the north and east by Kindo Koysha. Kawo Koysha woreda was established in 2019 from the surrounding woredas. The administrative center of this woreda is Lasho Town.

Bombe is a town in Wolayita Zone of the South Ethiopia Regional State, Ethiopia. Bombe town is located 325 km and 55 km away from Addis Ababa and Wolaita Sodo town through Hossana exit, respectively. Bombe town is used as an administrative capital of Boloso Bombe woreda of Wolaita Zone. It is located at an elevation of 1,531 meters above sea level. The amenities in the town are 24 hours electric light, pure water service, kindergarten, primary and high schools, health center, everyday public market and others. Bombe lies between about 7°08'04"North 37°34'54"East

Shanto is a town in southern Ethiopia. Located in the Wolaita Zone of the South Ethiopia Regional State, This town has a latitude and longitude of 7°01′ 23"N 37°51′49"E with an elevation of 1953 meters above sea level. The town is the administrative center of Damot Pulasa woreda.

Lasho is a town in Wolayita Zone of the South Ethiopia Regional State, Ethiopia. The approximate distance from the town of Sodo to Lasho is about 79 kilometres to Northwest via B52. And also the distance from Addis Ababa to Bombe is 388 km via Butajira-Worabe-Sodo to Southwest. Lasho town is used as an administrative capital of Kawo Koysha woreda of Wolaita Zone. It is located at an elevation of 2,130 meters above sea level. Lasho is a populated place in South Ethiopia Regional State. The amenities in the town are 24 hours electric light, pure water service, kindergarten, primary and high schools, health center, everyday public market and others. Lasho lies between about 6°42'29" North 37°28'23" East

Gacheno is a town in Wolayita Zone, South Ethiopia Regional State, Ethiopia. Gacheno is located about 287 km via B51 away from Addis Ababa to the south and also 31 km away from Sodo to the North, the capital of Wolaita Zone within Damot Gale woreda. The town is located at an elevation of 1,882 meters above sea level. Gacheno lies between 7°03'22" N and 37°55'14"E. The Ethiopian 3rd lady Roman Tesfaye was born and completed her primary school in this town.

Dalbo is a town in Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples' Region, Ethiopia within Wolayita Zone. Dalbo is located about 304 km away from Addis Ababa to the south through Butajira. And the town is located 11 km, North from Sodo, the capital of Wolayita Zone. The coordinate point of the town in map is 6°54′0″N 37°52′0″E with elevation of 2349 meters above the sea level.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Firew Altaye</span> Ethiopian politician

Firew Altaye Gebremedhin or ፍሬው አልታዬ ገብረመድህን was born on 2 August 1966. He was an Ethiopian politician and second chief administrator of Wolayita Zone, from 2002 to 2004 and he was succeeded by Amanuel Otoro. He served as member of Ethiopian parliament from 2001 to 2002.

Edo is a town in Wolayita Zone of the Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples' Region, Ethiopia. Edo town is located 310 km away from Addis Ababa and also 47 km from Wolaita Sodo town through Kercheche. The town is located in the north west edge of Diguna Fango woreda. Agricultural products are highly available in Edo town market which are produced from surrounding communities. The amenities in the town are 24 hours electric light, pure water service, kindergarten, primary and high schools, health center, everyday public market and others. Edo town lies between about 7°01'28" North 38°0'30" East. And the town located at an elevation of 1,730 meters above sea level.

This is part of the series of violence between minorities in the Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples' Region (SNNPR) and West Guji Zone of the Oromia regions, causing frequent attacks against ethnic Koore and other minorities in the Amaro special woreda and surroundings. Ethiopian Human Rights Council underscored the increasingly frequent nature and spread of conflicts and security issues in the area and called for preventative measures.

References

  1. ↑ "Ethiopia: Upper House votes to form 12th regional state". Africanews. 6 July 2023. Retrieved 19 July 2023.
  2. ↑ "News: Ethiopia House of Federation officiates creation of new state in Southern Ethiopia". Addis Standard. 5 July 2023. Retrieved 19 July 2023.
  3. ↑ "Central Ethiopia, Southern Ethiopia Regional States Established". ENA English. Retrieved 14 September 2023.
  4. ↑ Account (20 August 2023). "Ethiopia's two new regional states formed : Central Ethiopia, South Ethiopia". Borkena Ethiopian News. Retrieved 14 September 2023.
  5. ↑ Susan Houlton (18 July 2019). "Ethiopia delays referendum on new independent region". DW. Archived from the original on 7 February 2023. Retrieved 7 February 2023.
  6. ↑ "Vote on breakaway region as Ethiopia faces tests to unity". France 24. 28 September 2021. Archived from the original on 7 February 2023. Retrieved 7 February 2023.
  7. 1 2 3 4 "News: Electoral Board to hold Southern region referendum in February next year". Addis Standard. 12 October 2022. Archived from the original on 25 January 2023. Retrieved 7 February 2023.
  8. ↑ "News: Ten zones, six special woredas in Ethiopia's Southern state undergo major restructuring to create two more regional states". Addis Standard. 2 August 2022. Archived from the original on 7 February 2023. Retrieved 7 February 2023.
  9. ↑ "News update: Zonal restructure not agenda for Gurage Zone Council, Zone awaits House of Federation decision on request for own region". Addis Standard. 3 August 2022. Archived from the original on 7 February 2023. Retrieved 7 February 2023.
  10. ↑ "News: SNNP Council submits zonal, special woredas restructuring to House of Federation; Bu'i city in Gurage zone establishes command post". Addis Standard. 5 August 2022. Archived from the original on 25 January 2023. Retrieved 7 February 2023.
  11. 1 2 "News: Electoral Board requests more than 541 m birr budget to hold referendum in Southern state". Addis Standard. 21 September 2022. Archived from the original on 25 January 2023. Retrieved 7 February 2023.
  12. ↑ "#Breaking: Six zones and five special woredas to hold a referendum". Addis Standard. 18 August 2022. Archived from the original on 25 January 2023. Retrieved 7 February 2023.
  13. ↑ "House Orders Holding of Referendum for Establishment of New Region in SNNP". ENA. 18 August 2022. Archived from the original on 7 February 2023. Retrieved 7 February 2023.
  14. 1 2 "Voting Date Set for Referendum to Form New Region in Ethiopia". Ethiopian Monitor. 13 October 2022. Archived from the original on 7 February 2023. Retrieved 7 February 2023.
  15. 1 2 "Over 2.9m Voters Registered for Referendum in SNNPR". Ethiopian Monitor. 9 January 2023. Archived from the original on 7 February 2023. Retrieved 7 February 2023.
  16. 1 2 "News: Over three million people expected to vote in referendum to form Ethiopia's 12th regional state". Addis Standard. 21 October 2022. Archived from the original on 7 February 2023. Retrieved 7 February 2023.
  17. ↑ "Referendum Starts in Six Zones, Five Special Districts in Southern Ethiopia". ENA. 6 February 2023. Archived from the original on 7 February 2023. Retrieved 7 February 2023.
  18. ↑ "Referendum Result | National Election Board of Ethiopia". Archived from the original on 17 February 2023. Retrieved 17 February 2023.
  19. ↑ "የኢትዮጵያ ብሔራዊ ምርጫ ቦርድ በደ/ብ/ብ/ሕ ክልላዊ መንግሥት ሥር በሚገኙ ስድስት ዞኖች (በኮንሶ፣ በደቡብ ኦሞ፣ በወላይታ፣ በጋሞ፣ በጌዴኦ፣ በጎፋ) እና አምስት ልዩ ወረዳዎች (በቡርጂ፣ በባስኬቶ፣ በአሌ፣ በአማሮ፣ በዲራሼ) ያካሄደውን የሕዝበ ውሣኔ ውጤት ስለማሳወቅ". NEBE (in Amharic). 18 February 2023. Archived from the original on 21 February 2023. Retrieved 1 March 2023.
  20. ↑ "News: NEBE reports majority vote in favor of new region in recent referendum, irregularities in Wolaita zone". Addis Standard. 21 February 2023. Archived from the original on 1 March 2023. Retrieved 1 March 2023.
  21. ↑ "Board prepares to rerun Wolaita referendum". The Reporter. 6 May 2023. Retrieved 5 June 2023.
  22. ↑ "Voting date set for Referendum Rerun in Wolaita". Ethiopian Monitor. 10 May 2023. Retrieved 5 June 2023.
  23. ↑ National Election Board of Ethiopia [@NEBEthiopia] (27 June 2023). "የኢትዮጵያ ብሔራዊ ምርጫ ቦርድ ሰኔ 12 ቀን 2015 ዓ.ም በ1,812 ምርጫ ጣቢያዎች ላይ ያስፈጸመውን የወላይታ ዞን የድጋሚ ሕዝበ ውሣኔ የውጤት ማረጋገጥ ሥራ ሲሠራ የቆየ ሲሆን፤የተረጋገጠውን ውጤት ይፋ አድርጓል።ዝርዝር ሰነዱ ከታች ተያይዟል።" (Tweet) (in Amharic). Retrieved 16 July 2023– via Twitter.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.