The Member of Parliament also asserts that Addis Ababa is a city that “… belongs to all Ethiopians and also serves as Africa’s diplomatic hub”
By: Getahun Tsegaye
Staff Reporter
ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA – Key political parties have submitted proposals to Ethiopia’s National Dialogue Commission addressing sensitive national and regional matters, including the restructuring of the Metekel Zone and constitutional reforms.
Dr. Mebratu Alemu, a member of the House of People’s Representatives and the executive committee of the Boro Democratic Party, told the Reporter that his party has formally proposed the reorganization of the Metekel Zone in the Benishangul-Gumuz Region into an independent regional state.
“Our proposal aims to ensure the people of Metekel can exercise self-governance,” Dr. Mebratu said. He cited the zone’s geographic distance from Assosa, its ethnic diversity, and its strategic importance—being the site of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam—as key reasons for the proposed restructuring.
He also addressed disputed land claims, stating that assertions of ownership over Metekel are historically unfounded. “Metekel was part of the former Gojjam province. It is not an ethnic territory,” he noted, emphasizing that the zone should be organized in a way that reflects its demographic and economic significance.
In addition to regional restructuring, Dr. Mebratu’s party submitted proposals on national symbols and constitutional reforms. “The national flag should remain consistent across governments,” he said. He further argued for a constitutional amendment, particularly the removal of Article 39, which he claims undermines national unity.
Regarding Addis Ababa, he underscored its importance as a federal capital. “The city belongs to all Ethiopians and also serves as Africa’s diplomatic hub,” he stated.
In a related development, Tesfahun Alemneh, Chairman of the Amhara Democratic Force Movement and the Joint Council of Political Parties in the Amhara Region, also confirmed submitting a set of proposals to the commission. Among these is the demand for the return of what he described as ancestral Amhara lands, including areas such as Welkait, Raya, and Metekel.
“These territories are part of the historical heritage of the Amhara people,” Tesfahun asserted. His party’s submission includes a broad range of issues: constitutional revisions, the national flag, language policy, and structural reform of Ethiopia’s federal system.
Tesfahun emphasized the need to replace the current ethnic-based federal arrangement with a geographically defined structure. “Regional constitutions should be inclusive. The current system makes some groups feel like outsiders in their own country,” he stated.
Tesfahun proposed that Amharic be recognized as the national language and advocated for a permanent national flag based on Ethiopia’s traditional green, yellow, and red colors.
He also highlighted port access as a national concern. “Ethiopia should regain access to a seaport. Assab was historically Ethiopian, and international law supports Ethiopia’s claim,” he said, adding that this issue has also been submitted to the Commission.
Efforts to obtain further clarification from both parties were unsuccessful at the time of publication.
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