Ethiopia's Sidama people voted in favor of the creation of a new federal region, the electoral board announced on Saturday.

The passage of the referendum means the Sidama, who are the fifth largest ethnic group in Ethiopia, will take control over local taxes, education, security and laws.

Ethiopia's most ethnically diverse region comprising the Southern Nations, Nationalities and People's region will be carved out to form the autonomous region.

As a result, Ethiopia will be divided into ten semi-autonomous regional states.

The Ethiopian constitution gives its ethnic groups, which number more than 80, the right to seek autonomy.

In July, at least 17 people were killed in clashes between security forces and Sidama activists after the referendum was delayed by the government.