The Challenges of Multiculturalism: Protecting Ethnic Minorities in Gamo Zone, South Ethiopia Region

Abstract Gamo zone is known for multiethnic and multicultural landscapes where diverse groups live in harmony for years, however, multicultural practice is challenged in protecting the rights of ethnic minorities by dearth of pertinent institutional response. The objective of this study was to explore the challenges of multiculturalism in the protection of ethnic minorities in the Gamo Zone. The study applied a phenomenological study design. Primary data organized through key informant Interview and FGD. The study revealed the quest for recognition, fair representation, local autonomy and linguistic rights of internal minorities was shown asymmetries in Gamo Zone in granting these rights for some groups and denying it for others in contrast to the working constitution that all ethnic groups in Ethiopia have equal rights for. The ruling party has thought its endeavor in protecting minorities, but these groups have made continuous appeals to the concerned institutions for decades in futility, due to lack of defined subjective and objective criteria in institutions, inconsistency in party -politics impeded it and put the issue in vain. As a consequence, the context of internal minorities in Gamo Zone elevated to cautious level; prevalence of perpetuated conflicts followed by human loss, vandalizing public and private properties, unwarranted imprisonment and violation of rights, which tends to poison societal cohesion. Hence, it calls for the urgency of the ruling party to revisit its policy, institutional and legal frameworks to consider the constitutional rights of ethnic minorities.