Functional Domains of IGR Forums, House of Federation and Ministry of Peace in Ethiopia: The Need for Clarity

Intergovernmental relations have been attached with the House of Federation and the Ministry of Peace until the enactment of the new Intergovernmental relations (IGR) legislation. The new legislation establishes six major intergovernmental consultative forums. It states their areas of engagement and indicates the distinct roles of each institution. The newly established IGR forums can create cooperative and uncompetitive relations between the federal government and regional states thereby changing the contour of the Ethiopian IGR system. This article examines whether the enactment of the new IGR law overlaps with the power and functions of the House of Federation and Ministry of Peace which have been facilitating federal-state or interstate relations. I argue that there are power overlaps and fusion of responsibilities between the House of Federation, the Ministry of Peace, and the newly established IGR forums. In this regard, an attempt is made to draw a clear functional realm among these institutions in connection with their mandates in facilitating smooth federal-state or interstate relations, and also to maintain transparency and accountability within these institutions relative to roles and tasks. The delineation of their power and functions is important to further enhance the IGR system in the Ethiopian federation.