By Mallika Singh&nbsp;

Ethiopia’s minority Sidama community voted in favour of forming their own federal region last Wednesday after a referendum. 98.5 per cent of the voters choose an autonomous rule, the country’s electoral board declared. &nbsp;

With official results released on Saturday by Wubshet Ayele, Deputy Head of the National Electoral Board, the board showed a provisional voter turnout of 99.7 per cent.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ethiopias-sidama-vote-on-autonomy-in-test-of-nationalist-passions-263392">Wednesday’s ballots</a> grant the Sidama community, who constitute 4 per cent of Ethiopia’s total population of 105 million, their own self-governing region, the tenth of its kind in the African country.

The region is going to grant the fifth largest ethnic group of the country control over local taxes, education, security and certain legislation. They have demanded to leave the diverse Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples' Region one of the nine regional states for years.

More than 80 ethnic groups of Ethiopia are granted the right to demand autonomy by its constitution. However, it was only under the leadership of Abiy Ahmed that the community’s request for a referendum was approved.

Soon after the polls opened for the referendum Prime Minister tweeted “The Sidama referendum is an expression of the democratisation path Ethiopia has set out on. As citizens go out to vote today, I call upon all to engage peacefully throughout the process.”

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The Sidama referendum is an expression of the democratization path Ethiopia has set out on. As citizens go out to vote today, I call upon all to engage peacefully throughout the process.
— Abiy Ahmed Ali (@AbiyAhmedAli) <a href="https://twitter.com/AbiyAhmedAli/status/1197022594224050176?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 20, 2019</a></blockquote>
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At least 17 people were killed in July due to clashes between security forces and Sidama activists as a result of the government’s decision to delay polls by five months.

Sidama activists had submitted their request for a referendum last year when Abiy Ahmed took office, which according to the constitution should have been held within a year of the request, with July 18 being the deadline.

However, large scale violence was avoided as opposition groups conceded to the government’s demand for a five-month delay.&nbsp;

Ever since Abiy Ahmed took office in one of Africa’s most repressive states, Ethiopia has been making rapid changes to create a more encompassing society, while also leading a peace process with <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ethiopia-and-eritrea-decades-of-discord-then-detente-255294">Eritrea</a>, efforts for which won the prime minister a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ethiopian-prime-minister-abiy-ahmed-ali-awarded-nobel-peace-prize-255217">Nobel Peace Prize</a> this year.&nbsp;

However, greater freedoms have led in the eruption of long-repressed discontent among ethnic communities, leading to more than a dozen other communities debating whether to demand similar autonomy under Ahmed’s reforms.&nbsp;&nbsp;

According to the United Nations and other monitoring groups, more than two million were displaced and hundreds killed in 2018 as a result of these rising tensions.&nbsp;

The closely watched referendum which was declared the achievement of a lifetime after decades-long struggle for autonomy by Sidama voters was stated to be peaceful with no major irregularities by Ethiopia’s Human Rights Commissioner Daniel Bekele.&nbsp;

The referendum and its implementation are being seen as a test to whether ethnic violence in the country can be resolved peacefully and also for its electoral process as general elections are scheduled for May next year.

By Mallika Singh Ethiopia’s minority Sidama community voted in favour of forming their own federal region last Wednesday after a referendum. 98.5 per cent of the voters choose an autonomous rule, the country’s electoral board declared.

By Mallika Singh Ethiopia’s minority Sidama community voted in favour of forming their own federal region last Wednesday after a referendum. 98.5 per cent of the voters choose an autonomous rule, the country’s electoral board declared. With official results released on Saturday by Wubshet Ayele, Deputy Head of the National Electoral Board, the board showed a provisional voter turnout of 99.7 per cent. Wednesday’s ballots grant the Sidama community, who constitute 4 per cent of Ethiopia’s total population of 105 million, their own self-governing region, the tenth of its kind in the African country. The region is going to grant the fifth largest ethnic group of the country control over local taxes, education, security and certain legislation. They have demanded to leave the diverse Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples' Region one of the nine regional states for years. More than 80 ethnic groups of Ethiopia are granted the right to demand autonomy by its constitution. However, it was only under the leadership of Abiy Ahmed that the community’s request for a referendum was approved. Soon after the polls opened for the referendum Prime Minister tweeted “The Sidama referendum is an expression of the democratisation path Ethiopia has set out on. As citizens go out to vote today, I call upon all to engage peacefully throughout the process.” The Sidama referendum is an expression of the democratization path Ethiopia has set out on. As citizens go out to vote today, I call upon all to engage peacefully throughout the process. — Abiy Ahmed Ali (@AbiyAhmedAli) November 20, 2019 × At least 17 people were killed in July due to clashes between security forces and Sidama activists as a result of the government’s decision to delay polls by five months. Sidama activists had submitted their request for a referendum last year when Abiy Ahmed took office, which according to the constitution should have been held within a year of the request, with July 18 being the deadline. However, large scale violence was avoided as opposition groups conceded to the government’s demand for a five-month delay. Ever since Abiy Ahmed took office in one of Africa’s most repressive states, Ethiopia has been making rapid changes to create a more encompassing society, while also leading a peace process with Eritrea, efforts for which won the prime minister a Nobel Peace Prize this year. However, greater freedoms have led in the eruption of long-repressed discontent among ethnic communities, leading to more than a dozen other communities debating whether to demand similar autonomy under Ahmed’s reforms. According to the United Nations and other monitoring groups, more than two million were displaced and hundreds killed in 2018 as a result of these rising tensions. The closely watched referendum which was declared the achievement of a lifetime after decades-long struggle for autonomy by Sidama voters was stated to be peaceful with no major irregularities by Ethiopia’s Human Rights Commissioner Daniel Bekele. The referendum and its implementation are being seen as a test to whether ethnic violence in the country can be resolved peacefully and also for its electoral process as general elections are scheduled for May next year.

Ethiopia Referendum: Sidama community unanimously votes in favour of establishing federal region

Members of Ethiopia's Sidama minority lined up before dawn to vote in a self-determination referendum on Wednesday, a test of Ethiopia's ability to peacefully manage ethnic demands and political change after more than a year of sweeping reform.

Sidama voters described the referendum as the achievement of a lifetime and culmination of decades of struggle for autonomy.

"I consider witnessing this day as if I were born again," said Yerusalem Kawiso, 48, who stood in a queue in Hawassa, the lakeside provincial city the Sidama hope to make their capital, waiting to vote in a pink dressing gown.

"We lived our whole life under oppression. As a child I remember chopped heads of Sidama people displayed at the market. I will never forget the head of my brother in law," she said.

Ethiopia's constitution grants the right to seek autonomy to its more than 80 ethnic groups. More than a dozen groups are debating whether to demand such powers, amid reforms to create a more open society under <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ethiopian-prime-minister-abiy-ahmed-ali-awarded-nobel-peace-prize-255217">Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed</a>, who took office last year and won the Nobel Peace Prize last month.

Shortly after polls opened, the prime minister tweeted: "The Sidama referendum is an expression of the democratization path Ethiopia has set out on. As citizens go out to vote today, I call upon all to engage peacefully throughout the process."

The vote would carve an autonomous region for the Sidama, who comprise about 4 per cent&nbsp;of Ethiopia's 105 million people, out of the Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples region, the most ethnically diverse part of Ethiopia. Other groups who share the region now are wary of disenfranchisement or 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.&nbsp;

At a polling station in the Hiteta neighbourhood in Hawassa, women carried babies to vote. Elders queued up wrapped in white, handwoven blankets called gabis, and young men wore traditional Sidama scarves tied around their heads.

Many waved their voting cards in celebration as they waited to cast their ballots when polling stations opened at 6 a.m. (0300 GMT).

"I arrived early to vote as I want my own region," said Emnet Telahun, 22, holding her one-year-old daughter Mirtinesh.

If the referendum passes as expected, the Sidama will control local taxes, education, security and laws in what would become Ethiopia's tenth region.

Since Abiy took office in one of Africa's most tightly controlled states, changes have brought a more open society and a weaker ruling coalition, emboldening politicians advocating for more rights for their ethnic groups.

The 43-year-old prime minister has also moved to open up one of Africa's fastest growing economies, and to make peace with neighbouring Eritrea.

However, the openness has also brought a surge of long-repressed rivalries between ethnic groups, forcing more than 2 million people out of their homes and killing hundreds, according to the United Nations and monitoring groups.

Dukale Lamiso, head of the Sidama Liberation Front, an activist group, said if the voting were unfair or the referendum should fail to bring autonomy, "that would be a danger for Ethiopia itself because of course there will be violence."

About 2.3 million voters are registered at nearly 1,700 polling stations, the national electoral board said. Polling stations close at 6 p.m. (1500 GMT). Preliminary results are due on Thursday.

The vote will also be closely watched for its tone in the run-up to a general election next year, which Abiy has promised will be free and fair. Previous elections going back to 2005 were marred by irregularities and violence.

Members of Ethiopia's Sidama minority lined up before dawn to vote in a self-determination referendum on Wednesday, a test of Ethiopia's ability to peacefully manage ethnic demands and political change after more than a year of sweeping reform.

Members of Ethiopia's Sidama minority lined up before dawn to vote in a self-determination referendum on Wednesday, a test of Ethiopia's ability to peacefully manage ethnic demands and political change after more than a year of sweeping reform. Sidama voters described the referendum as the achievement of a lifetime and culmination of decades of struggle for autonomy. "I consider witnessing this day as if I were born again," said Yerusalem Kawiso, 48, who stood in a queue in Hawassa, the lakeside provincial city the Sidama hope to make their capital, waiting to vote in a pink dressing gown. "We lived our whole life under oppression. As a child I remember chopped heads of Sidama people displayed at the market. I will never forget the head of my brother in law," she said. Ethiopia's constitution grants the right to seek autonomy to its more than 80 ethnic groups. More than a dozen groups are debating whether to demand such powers, amid reforms to create a more open society under Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, who took office last year and won the Nobel Peace Prize last month. Shortly after polls opened, the prime minister tweeted: "The Sidama referendum is an expression of the democratization path Ethiopia has set out on. As citizens go out to vote today, I call upon all to engage peacefully throughout the process." The vote would carve an autonomous region for the Sidama, who comprise about 4 per cent of Ethiopia's 105 million people, out of the Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples region, the most ethnically diverse part of Ethiopia. Other groups who share the region now are wary of disenfranchisement or 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. At a polling station in the Hiteta neighbourhood in Hawassa, women carried babies to vote. Elders queued up wrapped in white, handwoven blankets called gabis, and young men wore traditional Sidama scarves tied around their heads. Many waved their voting cards in celebration as they waited to cast their ballots when polling stations opened at 6 a.m. (0300 GMT). "I arrived early to vote as I want my own region," said Emnet Telahun, 22, holding her one-year-old daughter Mirtinesh. If the referendum passes as expected, the Sidama will control local taxes, education, security and laws in what would become Ethiopia's tenth region. Since Abiy took office in one of Africa's most tightly controlled states, changes have brought a more open society and a weaker ruling coalition, emboldening politicians advocating for more rights for their ethnic groups. The 43-year-old prime minister has also moved to open up one of Africa's fastest growing economies, and to make peace with neighbouring Eritrea. However, the openness has also brought a surge of long-repressed rivalries between ethnic groups, forcing more than 2 million people out of their homes and killing hundreds, according to the United Nations and monitoring groups. Dukale Lamiso, head of the Sidama Liberation Front, an activist group, said if the voting were unfair or the referendum should fail to bring autonomy, "that would be a danger for Ethiopia itself because of course there will be violence." About 2.3 million voters are registered at nearly 1,700 polling stations, the national electoral board said. Polling stations close at 6 p.m. (1500 GMT). Preliminary results are due on Thursday. The vote will also be closely watched for its tone in the run-up to a general election next year, which Abiy has promised will be free and fair. Previous elections going back to 2005 were marred by irregularities and violence.

Ethiopia's Sidama vote on autonomy in test of nationalist passions

Four people have died of gunshot wounds in the southern Ethiopian city of Hawassa, where protesters have been demanding the establishment of a breakaway state, a hospital executive said Friday.

"There are four people dead, three men and one woman," said Zinaw Serniso, general manager of the Hawassa Referral Hospital.

One of the victims had been shot in the head while another was shot in the stomach.

The four were admitted on Thursday, three of whom died the same day, while the fourth, a woman, died on Friday.

The Sidama ethnic group, the largest in the southern region, has been agitating for its semi-autonomous state.

Expectations were high they would declare their region unilaterally on Thursday.

The Sidama Liberation Movement, which has been leading calls for the new state, accepted government demands for a delay pending a referendum before the end of the year.

But other parties were unhappy and protests erupted Thursday.

Regional police commissioner Tewodros Woldemichael told state-affiliated Fana Broadcasting Corporate that police were arresting people who had participated in the violence.&nbsp;

He acknowledged that unrest had spread outside the city.&nbsp;

"Efforts are underway to put under control the violence which started in Hawassa and later spread to the neighboring Sidama woredas (district)," he said.

Four people have died of gunshot wounds in the southern Ethiopian city of Hawassa, where protesters have been demanding the establishment of a breakaway state, a hospital executive said Friday.

Four people have died of gunshot wounds in the southern Ethiopian city of Hawassa, where protesters have been demanding the establishment of a breakaway state, a hospital executive said Friday. "There are four people dead, three men and one woman," said Zinaw Serniso, general manager of the Hawassa Referral Hospital. One of the victims had been shot in the head while another was shot in the stomach. The four were admitted on Thursday, three of whom died the same day, while the fourth, a woman, died on Friday. The Sidama ethnic group, the largest in the southern region, has been agitating for its semi-autonomous state. Expectations were high they would declare their region unilaterally on Thursday. The Sidama Liberation Movement, which has been leading calls for the new state, accepted government demands for a delay pending a referendum before the end of the year. But other parties were unhappy and protests erupted Thursday. Regional police commissioner Tewodros Woldemichael told state-affiliated Fana Broadcasting Corporate that police were arresting people who had participated in the violence. He acknowledged that unrest had spread outside the city. "Efforts are underway to put under control the violence which started in Hawassa and later spread to the neighboring Sidama woredas (district)," he said.

Four killed in protests in southern Ethiopian city