The Politics of Recognition and the Kemant Nationality in Ethiopia

Abstract

Against the backdrop of improvements in politico-legal framework for protecting and promoting "Nations, Nationalities and Peoples” of Ethiopia, at least rhetorically, this article examines the Kemant nationality demand for recognition as a manifestation of contemporary struggles for social justice in multicultural societies. The Kemant remain unrecognized and henceforth denied the opportunity to exercise rights enshrined in the constitution like other nationalities. So crucial is their dependence on state recognition that, their very existence as distinct group depends, political participation and representation at the federal and regional levels of the government are severely undermined. Given the fact that the political demand for recognition that national groups strive for can be changed or renegotiated in the course of the movement, it is quite important to analyze the current Kemant nationality demand for recognition, which remains understudied so far. In light with the prevailing political and legal grounds in Ethiopia, the article focuses on the politics involved in their struggle for recognition informed by the contemporary recognition theories developed by Charles Taylor, Axel Honneth and Nancy Fraser.