(Milkessa Midega)(PhD Candidate – Center for Federal Studies, Addis Ababa University) In this very brief reflection, I present the underlining reasons why I say the controversial Addis Ababa and its surrounding Oromia Special Zone integrated plan proposal is not per se an EPRDF agenda. The paper, as an academic exercise, does not delve into the whole analysis of the document, the processes it took to prepare, the detailed actors, the consequences it brought last year and others related issues. It only emphasizes on the hegemonic ideas behind the master plan initiation and its consequences. The paper raises three main points to analyze how the master plan proposal is not an EPRDF agenda in its essence which includes the Paris-Lyon inter-urban policy lessons [lessons from unitary monolingual very classic nation-state], searching for the actors behind the delay of the implementation of Art.49(5) of the FDRE Constitution, and the developmental agenda and ethno-linguistic borders. The paper finally suggests policy recommendations. 1. Paris-Lyon Lessons [Lessons from a unitary monolingual State] The relationship between Addis Ababa and Paris (and Lyon) goes as far back to several decades. But it took serious roots following the conclusion of the Addis-Lyon Memorandum of Understanding in 1999. After [...]
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