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Self government in the parlance of cities is not a novel adventure. Far from that, there are evidences supporting the primacy of cities over states. Stated otherwise, cities herald states. History changed course, states became stronger and they forged themselves out of cities. Recently, states recognized local governments and went on giving them rights, including the right to self government. In Ethiopia, Addis Ababa´s self governance juxtaposes with the general state structure that orients establishing the state along ethnic lines. Owing to history, geography and economy, Addis Ababa´s self government cross cuts that of the federation´s and of Oromia´s. These all make the matter a delicate one particularly when we consider of limiting self government. Whether limiting self governance is possible and if so, what should guide it demand intrinsic exposition. The absence of principles justifying self governance at city level along with lack of principles of limiting it, make the case of Addis Ababa precarious. This piece will be indispensible for those who need to explore self government at city level. It adds significant insight on the subject of limiting self governance.

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Wondwossen Wakene Frew, LLB and LLM: studied Law at the Faculty of Law Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia. He specializes in Constitutional and Public Laws. He is currently a Lecturer of Law at the School of Law of University of Gondar, Ethiopia. He can be reached at wondwossenwakene69@gmail.com.

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