Contests over administrative boundaries and identity-based demands have become a major source of conflict in contemporary Ethiopia, with virtually no regional state unaffected. This paper examines the case of Western Tigray to explore the nature of these disputes, concluding that they are symptoms of a broader national political crisis rather than isolated issues. Ethiopia’s multinational federation, while recognising national identities, risks fuelling reactionary and exclusionary nationalism, exacerbated by rent-seeking political elites. The study argues that constitutional mechanisms, including referenda, cannot resolve these deep-rooted problems. Instead, it proposes an incremental, transformative three-stage process: securing a temporary political settlement and nationwide cessation of hostilities; restoring the constitutional status quo as a foundation for credible, inclusive dialogue; and conducting multi-level national dialogues to address fundamental political challenges. Only through such a comprehensive and collaborative approach can sustainable peace be achieved.
