Yonatan Tesfaye Fessha
Biographic Data
| ID | 3598327 |
|---|---|
| NAME | Yonatan Tesfaye Fessha |
| GIVEN NAMES | Yonatan Tesfaye |
| FAMILY NAME | Fessha |
| SIGNATURE | FESSHA Y T |
| AFFILIATIONS | University of the Western Cape |
| ORCID | 0000-0001-9930-4538 |
| VERIFIED | Yes |
| TOTAL WORKS | 13 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 35 |
| WORKS AS AUTHOR | 12 |
| WORKS AS EDITOR | 1 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2007 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2025 |
| H-INDEX | 3 |
The (re)making of local boundaries in African and European federal systems
Changes to the boundaries of local governments are a frequent site of political conflict in federal systems. Supporters of these changes employ a range of arguments to advance both mergers and splits of municipalities. Yet to date, there has been little research on how these arguments shape the process of local boundary changes. Drawing on case studies from both the Global North (Italy and Spain) and the Global South (South Africa and Ethiopia), …
Second chambers and intrastate federalism
In countries that have adopted a federal or quasi-federal system of government, second chambers could be designed to serve as an important mechanism of intrastate federalism, channelling subnational interests within the institutions of the national government. Focusing both on constitutional and extra-constitutional factors that shape the functioning of second chambers, this article examines the intrastate federalism role of second chambers in Ke…
Intergovernmental Relations in Divided Societies
Origins, Relevance and Prospects of Federalism and Decentralization in the Horn of Africa
The Horn of Africa is the most conflict-ridden region in the African continent. Both inter-and intra-state conflicts have dominated the region. In a bid to check intra-state conflicts and accommodate ethno-national and religious diversity, federal or federal like models of governance have been proposed, discussed, and, in some cases, adopted across the region. Focusing on Ethiopia, Somalia, Sudan and South Sudan, this article discusses the origin…
Freedom of Religion and Minority Rights in South Africa
The South African Constitution contains an extensive list of rights, several of which are relevant, directly or indirectly, to accommodate the needs of persons that belong to a religious minority group in South Africa. This article examines the extent to which these protections are utilized by individuals and courts and explores the interplay between these various sources of protection that religious minority groups and their members can rely on.…
Intergovernmental cooperation, divided societies and capital cities
Some call it Addis Ababa. Others call it Finfinnee. That is the capital city of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia. "What's in a name?" In fact, the name is at the centre of the row over the federal capital. Those who opt to refer the capital as Finfinnee claim that the capital belongs to the Oromo. Those that stick to the official name, Addis Ababa, reject the language of ownership. But this is not merely a fight over history. It is a c…
What language in education? Implications for internal minorities and social cohesion in federal Ethiopia
The protection of language rights and linguistic groups is the cornerstone of the constitutional dispensation that Ethiopian has embarked upon almost two decades ago. The constitution declares that all Ethiopian language shall enjoy equal state recognition and allows for regional preference in language use. This article examines the laws and policies that regulate the use of languages in education and investigates their implication for the recogn…
Second chamber as a site of legislative intergovernmental relations
South Africa, a country that does not recognize itself as a federation, has established a second chamber that is probably ideal for legislative intergovernmental relations. The National Council of Provinces is explicitly mandated to represent provincial interests. This is so both in terms of composition and the authority it enjoys in influencing national legislation. This article argues that the functioning of the second chamber tells a different…
The Original Sin of Ethiopian Federalism
Territorial autonomy for ethnic groups is an important component of Ethiopian federalism designed to deal with the challenges of ethnic diversity. The constitutional decision to use ethnicity as a basis for the organisation of the state represents a recognition of the political relevance of ethnicity. However, the decision that each major ethnic group should be dominant in one and only subnational unit has elevated ethnic identity to a primary po…
Is it time to let go? The Best Loser System in Mauritius
As Mauritius was moving towards independence, one contested issue was the electoral system to be adopted. Minority groups were wary of any electoral system which would allow for a Hindu-hegemony and which would leave them unable to access power. To respond to this anxiety, Mauritius adopted the best loser system (BLS), a unique system of ethnic representation in the national parliament. This contribution examines how the adoption of BLS, has over…
Is it time to let go? The Best Loser System in Mauritius
As Mauritius was moving towards independence, one contested issue was the electoral system to be adopted. Minority groups were wary of any electoral system which would allow for a Hindu- hegemony and which would leave them unable to access power. To respond to this anxiety, Mauritius adopted the best loser system (BLS), a unique system of ethnic representation in the national parliament. This contribution examines how the adoption of BLS, has ove…
Federalism, Territorial Autonomy and the Management of Ethnic Diversity in Africa
L’histoire du fédéralisme en Afrique est une histoire d’ambivalence. Dans la course à l’indépendance, le fédéralisme fut une idée qui galvanisa de nombreux mouvements politiques qui, après le retrait des autorités coloniales, étaient apparus pour représenter les intérêts des groupes ethniques inquiets de leur statut politique dans l’Afrique postcoloniale. Cependant, ce fut également une idée ensuite rejetée par tous ceux qui exercèrent le pouvoir…
A Critical Survey of Subnational Autonomy in African States
This article examines the quiet yet pervasive transfer of power from central governments to subnational units in Africa since the early 1990s. Central governments have justified this trend by arguing it promotes one or more of three goods: democracy, development, and accommodating diversity. The authors survey six selected countries representing federal-unitary and regional differences to evaluate their degree of formal and substantive political,…
A Critical Survey of Subnational Autonomy in African States
This article examines the quiet yet pervasive transfer of power from central governments to subnational units in Africa since the early 1990s. Central governments have justified this trend by arguing it promotes one or more of three goods: democracy, development, and accommodating diversity. The authors survey six selected countries representing federal-unitary and regional differences to evaluate their degree of formal and substantive political,…
The Original Sin of Ethiopian Federalism
Territorial autonomy for ethnic groups is an important component of Ethiopian federalism designed to deal with the challenges of ethnic diversity. The constitutional decision to use ethnicity as a basis for the organisation of the state represents a recognition of the political relevance of ethnicity. However, the decision that each major ethnic group should be dominant in one and only subnational unit has elevated ethnic identity to a primary po…
Intergovernmental cooperation, divided societies and capital cities
Some call it Addis Ababa. Others call it Finfinnee. That is the capital city of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia. "What's in a name?" In fact, the name is at the centre of the row over the federal capital. Those who opt to refer the capital as Finfinnee claim that the capital belongs to the Oromo. Those that stick to the official name, Addis Ababa, reject the language of ownership. But this is not merely a fight over history. It is a c…
Second chamber as a site of legislative intergovernmental relations
South Africa, a country that does not recognize itself as a federation, has established a second chamber that is probably ideal for legislative intergovernmental relations. The National Council of Provinces is explicitly mandated to represent provincial interests. This is so both in terms of composition and the authority it enjoys in influencing national legislation. This article argues that the functioning of the second chamber tells a different…
Federalism, Territorial Autonomy and the Management of Ethnic Diversity in Africa
L’histoire du fédéralisme en Afrique est une histoire d’ambivalence. Dans la course à l’indépendance, le fédéralisme fut une idée qui galvanisa de nombreux mouvements politiques qui, après le retrait des autorités coloniales, étaient apparus pour représenter les intérêts des groupes ethniques inquiets de leur statut politique dans l’Afrique postcoloniale. Cependant, ce fut également une idée ensuite rejetée par tous ceux qui exercèrent le pouvoir…
Origins, Relevance and Prospects of Federalism and Decentralization in the Horn of Africa
The Horn of Africa is the most conflict-ridden region in the African continent. Both inter-and intra-state conflicts have dominated the region. In a bid to check intra-state conflicts and accommodate ethno-national and religious diversity, federal or federal like models of governance have been proposed, discussed, and, in some cases, adopted across the region. Focusing on Ethiopia, Somalia, Sudan and South Sudan, this article discusses the origin…
What language in education? Implications for internal minorities and social cohesion in federal Ethiopia
The protection of language rights and linguistic groups is the cornerstone of the constitutional dispensation that Ethiopian has embarked upon almost two decades ago. The constitution declares that all Ethiopian language shall enjoy equal state recognition and allows for regional preference in language use. This article examines the laws and policies that regulate the use of languages in education and investigates their implication for the recogn…
A Critical Survey of Subnational Autonomy in African States
This article examines the quiet yet pervasive transfer of power from central governments to subnational units in Africa since the early 1990s. Central governments have justified this trend by arguing it promotes one or more of three goods: democracy, development, and accommodating diversity. The authors survey six selected countries representing federal-unitary and regional differences to evaluate their degree of formal and substantive political,…
Federalism, Territorial Autonomy and the Management of Ethnic Diversity in Africa
L’histoire du fédéralisme en Afrique est une histoire d’ambivalence. Dans la course à l’indépendance, le fédéralisme fut une idée qui galvanisa de nombreux mouvements politiques qui, après le retrait des autorités coloniales, étaient apparus pour représenter les intérêts des groupes ethniques inquiets de leur statut politique dans l’Afrique postcoloniale. Cependant, ce fut également une idée ensuite rejetée par tous ceux qui exercèrent le pouvoir…
Is it time to let go? The Best Loser System in Mauritius
As Mauritius was moving towards independence, one contested issue was the electoral system to be adopted. Minority groups were wary of any electoral system which would allow for a Hindu-hegemony and which would leave them unable to access power. To respond to this anxiety, Mauritius adopted the best loser system (BLS), a unique system of ethnic representation in the national parliament. This contribution examines how the adoption of BLS, has over…
Is it time to let go? The Best Loser System in Mauritius
As Mauritius was moving towards independence, one contested issue was the electoral system to be adopted. Minority groups were wary of any electoral system which would allow for a Hindu- hegemony and which would leave them unable to access power. To respond to this anxiety, Mauritius adopted the best loser system (BLS), a unique system of ethnic representation in the national parliament. This contribution examines how the adoption of BLS, has ove…
The Original Sin of Ethiopian Federalism
Territorial autonomy for ethnic groups is an important component of Ethiopian federalism designed to deal with the challenges of ethnic diversity. The constitutional decision to use ethnicity as a basis for the organisation of the state represents a recognition of the political relevance of ethnicity. However, the decision that each major ethnic group should be dominant in one and only subnational unit has elevated ethnic identity to a primary po…
What language in education? Implications for internal minorities and social cohesion in federal Ethiopia
The protection of language rights and linguistic groups is the cornerstone of the constitutional dispensation that Ethiopian has embarked upon almost two decades ago. The constitution declares that all Ethiopian language shall enjoy equal state recognition and allows for regional preference in language use. This article examines the laws and policies that regulate the use of languages in education and investigates their implication for the recogn…
Second chamber as a site of legislative intergovernmental relations
South Africa, a country that does not recognize itself as a federation, has established a second chamber that is probably ideal for legislative intergovernmental relations. The National Council of Provinces is explicitly mandated to represent provincial interests. This is so both in terms of composition and the authority it enjoys in influencing national legislation. This article argues that the functioning of the second chamber tells a different…
Intergovernmental cooperation, divided societies and capital cities
Some call it Addis Ababa. Others call it Finfinnee. That is the capital city of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia. "What's in a name?" In fact, the name is at the centre of the row over the federal capital. Those who opt to refer the capital as Finfinnee claim that the capital belongs to the Oromo. Those that stick to the official name, Addis Ababa, reject the language of ownership. But this is not merely a fight over history. It is a c…
Freedom of Religion and Minority Rights in South Africa
The South African Constitution contains an extensive list of rights, several of which are relevant, directly or indirectly, to accommodate the needs of persons that belong to a religious minority group in South Africa. This article examines the extent to which these protections are utilized by individuals and courts and explores the interplay between these various sources of protection that religious minority groups and their members can rely on.…
Intergovernmental Relations in Divided Societies
Origins, Relevance and Prospects of Federalism and Decentralization in the Horn of Africa
The Horn of Africa is the most conflict-ridden region in the African continent. Both inter-and intra-state conflicts have dominated the region. In a bid to check intra-state conflicts and accommodate ethno-national and religious diversity, federal or federal like models of governance have been proposed, discussed, and, in some cases, adopted across the region. Focusing on Ethiopia, Somalia, Sudan and South Sudan, this article discusses the origin…
Second chambers and intrastate federalism
In countries that have adopted a federal or quasi-federal system of government, second chambers could be designed to serve as an important mechanism of intrastate federalism, channelling subnational interests within the institutions of the national government. Focusing both on constitutional and extra-constitutional factors that shape the functioning of second chambers, this article examines the intrastate federalism role of second chambers in Ke…
The (re)making of local boundaries in African and European federal systems
Changes to the boundaries of local governments are a frequent site of political conflict in federal systems. Supporters of these changes employ a range of arguments to advance both mergers and splits of municipalities. Yet to date, there has been little research on how these arguments shape the process of local boundary changes. Drawing on case studies from both the Global North (Italy and Spain) and the Global South (South Africa and Ethiopia), …
Political science (13 works) · Law (11 works) · Politics (9 works) · Sociology (9 works) · Law (8 works) · Economics (6 works) · Political economy (6 works) · Public Administration (5 works) · African history and culture analysis (4 works) · Ethnic group (4 works)