Comments this is the official text as published in the federal negarit gazeta of the federal democratic republic of ethiopia, 1st year no. Pdf this paper tries to explain constitution, constitutionalism and foundation of democracy in ethiopia. In the early 21st century the economy of ethiopia grew rapidly. A proposed revision of the 1955 constitution was released in 1974, but it had no legal effect, and was soon forgotten in the events of the ethiopian revolution. Their right is founded solely and exclusively on the sweeping constitutional guarantees they enjoy under articles 29 and of the ethiopian constitution. But before that the state has a far back constitutional history of unwritten form. The constitution was adopted on 8 december 1994 and promulgated by the constitution of the federal democratic. Ethiopian constitution africa center, university of. Ethiopia is a magnificent nation and perhaps the worlds most ancient. The peoples democratic republic of ethiopia shall, while ae romplishing the national democratic revolution, lay the foundation for the. Ethiopia federal democratic republic of ethiopia since.
The language of these two articles is simple, plain, straightforward, unambiguous and requires no interpretation. Production levels in the 1970s were in the range of 150 to 200 thousand tons per year but only about one half was exported. During the late nineteenth and twentieth centuries, emperor menelik ii created the current ethiopian state through expansion and conquest. How history and the 1931 ethiopian constitution perceive. The historical legacy of inequality and discrimination suffered by women in. History and ideology 57 selfadministration through regional autonomy. The imperial government assures the union of the territory, of the. The exerci of frodioms and ri,hls and the discharge of duties by citizen. Library of congress federal research division country profile. Ararssa, special to addis standard in the first part of this series of reflection on ethiopias experiment with federalism, i have discussed the sketchy description of the federation in context and the current ethiopian federal system and its fundamental features. Foreign nationals may acquire ethiopian nationality. All the natives of ethiopia, subjects of the empire, form together the ethiopian. All the natives of ethiopia, subjects of the empire, form together the ethiopian empire.
Article 93 of the ethiopian constitution deals with a declaration of a state of. We, the nations, nationalities and peoples of ethiopia. Ethiopias ton, history of independence has been the history. On this page you can read or download 1931 ethiopian constitution document pdf in pdf format. In 1994 the eprdf adopted ethiopia s third constitution in 40 years. If thats not enough, click over to our collection of world maps and flags. Article 2 ethiopian territorial jurisdiction the territorial jurisdiction of ethiopia shall comprise the territory of the members. Article 29 reproduced also in the official amharic text below2 states. The eprdf introduced a temporary constitution called the national charter, created an 87member assembly known as the state council, and proceeded to form a cabinet for the transitional government of ethiopia tge.
While, because of fallible but capable of learning from experience, human nature. The current constitution of ethiopia, which is the supreme law of the federal democratic republic of ethiopia, came into force on 21 august 1995. Particulars relating to nationality shall be determined by law. Apr 04, 2014 a historian discussing history with nonhistorians might seem strange, but the endresult shows that it was actually not. Ethiopia ethiopia federal democratic republic of ethiopia since 1995. Just as ethiopian farming is at the mercy of the rainfall so the ethiopian export economy is at the mercy of the international market price of coffee.
Provisions of this constitution set out in the masculine gender shall also apply to the feminine gender. Reflections and recommendations from the symposium on the making of the new ethiopian constitution, addis ababa, 750. Nov 23, 2015 on this page you can read or download 1931 ethiopian constitution document pdf in pdf format. In the late 19th century italy acquired control of the territories of eritrea on the red sea coast and somali on the indian ocean. The territory of ethiopia, in its entirety, is, from one end to the other, subject to the government of his majesty the emperor. Article 7 gender reference provisions of this constitution set out in the masculine gender shall also apply to the feminine gender. Democratic republic of ethiopia, and to uphold the honor and di,nity of ethiopian citiun. Other articles where history of ethiopia is discussed. Thus, the eprdf that assumed power in may 1991 after its protracted 17 year armed insurgency undertaken the reconstruction of the ethiopian state. The 1931 constitution of ethiopia was the first modern constitution for ethiopia, intended to officially replace the fetha nagast, which had been the supreme law since the middle ages. Micheau introduction emergent and reemergent nationalism seem to have taken center stage in a cast of new worldwide political trends. The bicameral ethiopian parliament played no part in drawing up the 1955 constitution, which, far from limiting the emperors control, emphasized the religious origins of imperial power and extended the centralization process. An attempt by the league of nations to halt the conquest failed.
Although ethiopia remains poor there is every reason to be optimistic about its future. Constitution of the regional state of harari ethiopian. Constitution of teh regional state of oromia revised. The precarious future of the ethiopian constitution. Constitutional history of ethiopia constitutionnet. Preamble to the ethiopian constitution which states, among other reasons for. Amharic shall be the working language of the federal government. Accordingly, the ethiopian state shall be known as the federal democratic. Ethiopia s 1994 constitution is a direct result of the government pursuing a policy of ethnic democracy.
Pdf media, participation and constitutionmaking in. Doc amendment of state constitution in ethiopia in. Constitutional development in ethiopia journal of african. With the rise of the dictator benito mussolini, italian designs toward ethiopia were revived, and in october 1935 italy invaded the country see italy. This is the official text as published in the federal negarit gazeta of the federal democratic republic of ethiopia, 1st year no. In may the ethiopian peoples revolutionary democratic front eprdf entered the capital. A new constitution granting special rights to different ethnic groups in ethiopia was ratified in december, and became effective in august 1995. The role of communications in facilitating public participation in constitutionmaking is often neglected and misunderstood, particularly in postwar statebuilding when mass media may be weak. Nov 23, 2015 on this page you can read or download weakness of ethiopian constitution pdf in pdf format.
The peoples democratic republic of elhiopia is a soverei, state whose territory comprisin, the land. In 1931 haile selassie promoted a constitution which made ethiopia a constitutional monarchy. Arliclt 57 every ethiopian has the duly to obse, the constitution and laws of the people. Download pdf interim constitution ethiopia 1991 1995 download pdf transitional period charter of ethiopia 19911995 retrieved from. Strongly committed, in full and free exercise of our right to selfdetermination, to building a political community founded on the rule of law and capable of ensuring a lasting peace, guaranteeing a democratic order, and advancing our economic and social development. The impact of the inclusion of secession clause in the. Representatives passed the mass media and freedom of information proclamation press law. Any person of either sex shall be an ethiopian national where both or either parent is ethiopian. Ethiopia administrative change and the 1955 constitution. Constitutional development in ethiopia volume 10 issue 2 bereket habte selassie skip to main content accessibility help we use cookies to distinguish you from other users and to provide you with a better experience on our websites. Thus, basic features of law, sources of law in general and the sources of ethiopian law are covered.
Ethnicity serves as the foundation for ethiopias political parties and is what motivates the constitutions twotiered federal system. It was only in 1931 that ethiopia promulgated its first written form of constitution. Ancient and medieval documents of constitutional nature. The constitution consists of 106 articles in 11 chapters. Oct 18, 2010 their right is founded solely and exclusively on the sweeping constitutional guarantees they enjoy under articles 29 and of the ethiopian constitution. This constitution establishes a federal and democratic state structure. National anthem of ethiopia the national anthem of ethiopia, to be determined by law, shall reflect the ideals of the constitution, the commitment of the peoples of ethiopia to live together in a democratic order and of their common destiny. I am looking for the most recent criminal cases in ethiopia. Ethiopian constitution the following english translation of the ethiopian draft constitution is an unofficial draft that has been released to enable members of the international community follow the discussions and forthcoming elections, pending publication of the official translation. This paper tries to explain constitution, constitutionalism and foundation of democracy in ethiopia. There is an ominous prospect of dr getachew write yet another piece in amharic on misunderstandings in ethiopian history, and. Ethiopia, subjects of the empire, form together the ethiopian empire. Ethiopian constitution of 1931 1 chapter i the ethiopian empire and the succession to the throne art.
Ethiopia is the oldest independent country in africa and one of the oldest independent countries in the world. I21staugust1995page3 ethiopian territorialjurisdiction the territorial. Check out our country profile, full of essential information about ethiopias geography, history, government, economy, population, culture, religion and languages. The senate remained appointive, but the chamber of deputies was, at least nominally, elected.
To this end, the main purpose of this paper is to explain the new democratic constitutional process in ethiopia. Pdf constitution, constitutionalism and foundation of democracy in. It was promulgated in an impressive ceremony held 16 july 1931 in the presence of emperor haile selassie, who had long desired to proclaim one for his country. Education system ethiopia 1 9 mb ethiopian school leaving certificate ethiopian higher education entrance. The ethiopian constitution lays out the legal rights of citizens to hold opinions, thoughts, and free expressions. Ethiopia s ton, history of independence has been the history of ih. The oromo moved north through the southern highlands, bypasssing the sidama on the west, and into the central highlands, where they settled in the center and west on land, some.
The legislative branch is made up of a bicameral parliament. If you dont see any interesting for you, use our search form on bottom v. This constitution enshrined the principles of regionalism and ethnic autonomy, devolving power to regional states, several of them coalitions of smaller ethnic groups. However, these pledges were not translated into practice. To this end, the main purpose of this paper is to explain the new democratic constitutional. All members of the ethiopian army owe absolute loyalty and obedience to the emperor, in conformity with the provisions of the law. How history and the 1931 ethiopian constitution perceive the. The period 1434 1974 the period before 1434 the era of modern codified laws 19311974 written imperial constitutions the civil code of 1960 and other laws ii. Interim constitution ethiopia 19911995 constitutionnet. Constitution of the federal democratic republic of ethiopia ilo. Establishment of the secretariat of the house of peoples representatives and of the house of the federation proclamation. Law and religion in ethiopia the evolution of a complex.
How history and the 1931 ethiopian constitution perceive the ethiopians by getachew haile this short article addresses the issue of how ethiopia s social and political problems are sometimes. Ethnicity serves as the foundation for ethiopia s political parties and is what motivates the constitution s twotiered federal system. The constitution was adopted on 8 december 1994 and promulgated by the constitution of the federal democratic republic of ethiopia proclamation no. A proposed revision of the 1955 constitution was released in 1974, but it had no legal effect, and was soon forgotten in the events of the ethiopian revolution until the adoption of the first of these constitutions, the concepts of. The eprdf won 484 out of 547 seats in the assembly. Beyana represented people who believe that ethiopian history, as they read it, neither includes them nor respects their human dignity. The 1931, 1987 and 1995 constitutions of ethiopia delelegn, wubalem on. Ethiopian constitution of 1931 3 may be appointed ocers in the army or civil ocials, or to any other posts or oces in the service of the state. Ethiopia s ancient system of feudal government experienced significant changes under haile selassie i reigned 193074, who carefully grafted onto the traditional governing institutions a weak parliament of appointed and elected legislators, a judiciary with modernized civil and criminal codes and a hierarchy of courts, and an executive.
In 1931 he granted ethiopia its first constitution. In june 1994 ethiopian voters elected representatives to a constituent assembly, charged with writing a new democratic constitution. A study of the secession clause in the constitution. Pdf constitution, constitutionalism and foundation of. More specifically, part ii offers an overview of the principle of. In ethiopia a new constitution was introduced in 1994 and elections were held in 1995. Ethiopian grade 8 english textbook for ethiopian ethiopian art ethiopian ethiopian ecommerce pdf ethiopian history pdf ethiopian history ethiopian satellite ethiopian constitution pdf ethiopian airways ethiopian bible ethiopian curreclum ethiopian constitution ethiopian airline ethiopian manuscript ethiopian ict textbook ethiopian news about. Accordingly, the ethiopian state shall be known as the federal democratic republic of ethiopia. Oxford university press 10 the federal democratic republic of ethiopian constitution, 1994 11 andrei kreptul. In may 1991 the ethiopian peoples revolutionary democratic front eprdf entered the capital. Abstract leaving constitutional space to sub national units so as to frame their own constitutions is an invariable practice across most federations. How history and the 1931 ethiopian constitution perceive the ethiopians by getachew haile this short article addresses the issue of how ethiopias social and political problems are sometimes.
Eightyone percent of the electorate endorsed the constitution, while 18 percent opposed it 1 percent of the ballots were invalid. Until the adoption of the first of these constitutions, the concepts of ethiopian government had been codified in the kebra nagast which presented the concept. The article as it was prepared for a special occasion where. After a brief historical introduction in part i, this chapter proposes to broadly revisit the principles discussed in the reference to assess their role and impact in the ethiopian constitution. Constitution of the federal democratic republic of ethiopia wipo. Constitution of the federal democratic republic of ethiopia home basic information general. Constitution of the federal democratic republic of ethiopia home basic information general information the house of peoples representatives the house of the federation current developments preamble we, the nations, nationalities and peoples of ethiopia. Seleshi zeyohannes, constitutional law ii page 2 of 372 acknowledgments my acknowledgment goes to all those who assisted me in preparing this course on law of constitution i and ii, which i believe would be of vital value to ethiopian students and instructors of law. Modern constitutional history ethiopias 1994 constitution is a direct result of the government pursuing a policy of ethnic democracy. People like dr getachew should refrain from taking a part in rewriting ethiopia s history. About the constitution of the federal democratic republic of ethiopia.
Ethiopia s present constitution was created and ratified in 1994 by a constituent assembly. Although this was the first election in ethiopia s history based on universal suffrage, the presence of communist cadres throughout the country ensured that the constitution would be. A key constitutional provision in this regard is the first paragraph of the. All ethiopian languages shall enjoy equal state recognition. Constitution, constitutionalism and foundation of democracy in ethiopia. Constitution of the federal democratic republic of ethiopia. In the 1930s ethiopia once again confronted an aggressive italy.
71 378 1317 91 876 426 1218 928 1254 620 823 286 1087 334 1265 716 1047 740 123 843 494 284 361 326 851 1473 35 918 253 1303 884 46