Article 39 and the Debate on Ethiopia’s Constitutional Reform

Author Hambisa Belina argues that the debate over constitutional reform in Ethiopia must transcend the binary of centralization versus federalism. The commentary focuses on the authority required to redefine the political status of constituent communities under the federal system. Belina emphasizes that while Article 39 is not legally immutable, it provides critical protections for self-government, language, and culture. He warns that any indirect attempts to weaken these guarantees without following established constitutional procedures warrant significant scrutiny. The piece urges a more structured approach to constitutional amendments to protect the federal bargain.