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Ethiopia's Sidama Vote on Autonomy in Latest Test for Restive Regions

Reuters

   HAWASSA, ETHIOPIA - Ethiopia's Sidama people vote on self-determination
   in a referendum Wednesday closely watched by other restive ethnic
   groups also seeking more autonomy since reforms by Prime Minister Abiy
   Ahmed shook up the national power balance.

   The special vote for the Sidama, mostly based in the south and
   comprising about 4 percent of Ethiopia's 105 million population, comes
   ahead of a national election next year and has brought fears of renewed
   violence.

   At least 17 people died in clashes in July between security forces and
   Sidama activists after the government delayed the poll by five months.

   If the referendum passes as expected, the Sidama will control local
   taxes, education, security and laws in a new self-governing region that
   would be Ethiopia's 10th.

   The Horn of Africa nation's regions are emboldened by a more open
   political climate -- and weaker ruling coalition -- since Abiy took
   office in 2018 and eased predecessors' iron rule.

   However, that has also brought a surge of long-repressed rivalries
   between Ethiopia's 80-plus ethnic groups, forcing more than 2 million
   people out of their homes and killing hundreds, according to the United
   Nations and monitoring groups.

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