Federal system strengthening unity of nations, nationalities: House of Federation
Addis Ababa, November 29, 2007 (WIC) – The nations and nationalities of Ethiopia are registering victories that strengthen their unity based on harmony and equality under the federal system they willingly created, the Speaker of House of Federation said.
House of Federation Speaker, Degife Bula, told WIC that the nations and nationalities, which in unison ousted the oppressive regime, are currently developing their country by ratifying a document that governs them drawing lessons from the past.
Prior to the ratification of the constitution, there was no environment under which nations and nationalities could feel proud of their languages, culture and history, Degife said, adding that a favorable condition is now in place for the nations and nationalities to study, nurture and practice their language, culture and history.
He further said the past regimes excluded the nations and nationalities from social, economic and political affairs and were considered as secondary citizens in their own country. But now a system has been put in place to recognize their identity and empower them to decide on local and national affairs, the Speaker stressed.
Through individual and group rights enshrined in the constitution, all nations and nationalities have acquired the right to self rule, while the efforts to provide education and health services in their vicinities have started bearing fruit, he pointed out.
They have also started to directly benefit from their produces and the infrastructural development has facilitated the efforts to supply produces on time, it was indicated.
The Speaker further said most of the urban and rural areas have become beneficiaries of electricity and telephone services, while growth in social, economic and political sectors have shown tremendous progress.
According to Degiffe,69 nations and nationalities are represented in the House and a budget formula that fairly distributes the budget subsidy of the federal government has been prepared.
Efforts are also underway to enable states settle conflicts by themselves, he said, adding that nations and nationalities have also been holding positions in the central government based on merit.
The federal system is an indispensable system that could guarantee the respect of the rights of nations and nationalities of the country and accommodate diversity, the Speaker reiterated.
