| Abstract: | The rich ethnic diversity in the SNNP region is being managed by different
mechanisms of constitutional, institutional, and political practice. Yet, this has not
been able to contain new questions of identity, not only seeking for recognition as
a distinct ethnic group, but also a desire to establish ethnic territorial
administrations. Moreover, ethnic groups that are already recognized are also
laying claims to various self-determination rights, inter alia, to territorial
autonomy, equitable participation, and the redrawing of internal (ethnic)
boundaries. Based on legal analysis of cases from the SNNP region, the article
critically discusses the quest for identity and self-determination, and provides an
overview of the experience of the region. In dealing with the existing dilemma, we
argue that there is a need to maintain the balance between constitutional rights to
identity recognition and self-determination with the threat of ethnic and territorial
fragmentations |
