Since 1995,
Ethiopia is constitutionally formed by a
federation of nine ethnically-based regional states (plural:
kililoch; singular:
kilil) and two chartered cities (plural:
astedader akababiwach; singular:
astedader akabibi). These administrative regions replaced the older system of
provinces. The word "
kilil" more specifically means "reservation" or "protected area". The
ethnic basis of the regions and choice of the word "
kilil" has drawn fierce criticism from those in opposition to the ruling party who have drawn comparisons to the
bantustans of
apartheid South Africa.
