The constitution during emperor was the first constitution of the country and paved the way for the next coming constitution. 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. This act may be called the constitution fifth amendment act, 1955. In this manual the constitutional interpretation is presented not as something different. All members of the ethiopian army owe absolute loyalty and obedience to the emperor, in conformity with the provisions of the law. Such opinion was particularly important at a time when some neighboring african states were rapidly advancing under european colonial tutelage. Ethiopia adopted a constitution that creates a twotiered federal structure, which, at least in principle, emphasized ethnic groups rights and. This constitution is an expression of their sovereignty. Federalism and the accommodation of diversity in ethiopia. During this period, radical political, economic and social changes have taken place in ethiopia. Emperor haile selassie proclaimed a revised constitution in november 1955 of the empire of ethiopia. The current constitution of ethiopia, which is the supreme law of the federal democratic republic of ethiopia, came into force on 21 august 1995. Since,constitutionalism does not mean only having constitution,but it is the practical.
The constitution fifth amendment act, 1955 national. Revised constitution of ethiopia, 1955 revised constitution of the republic of kenya, 2010, rural land use fee and agricultural activities income tax proclamation no 77, 1976 re settlement authority establishment proclamation no. Regulation of merger under the ethiopian competition law. During the late nineteenth and twentieth centuries, emperor menelik ii created the current ethiopian stat. Ethiopia administrative change and the 1955 constitution. The peoples democratic republic of elhiopia is a soverei, state whose territory comprisin, the land. Be it enacted by parliament in the sixth year of the republic of india as follow.
Ethiopian constitution of 1931 1 chapter i the ethiopian empire and the succession to the throne art. Berhanena selam printing press of his imperial majesty haile selassie i, 1955. The territory of ethiopia, in its entirety, is, from one end to the other, subject to the government of his majesty the emperor. A person of either sex born to both or one ethiopian parent is of ethiopian nationality. Ethiopian constitutions archives ethiopian legal brief. The imperial constitution mostly emphasised on the following three. How history and the 1931 ethiopian constitution perceive. The place of customary and religious laws and practices in. The structure of the ethiopian government and the new constitutions ability to overcome ethiopias problems t. Such opinion was particularly important at a time when some neighboring african states were rapidly advancing under european colonial tutelage and ethiopia was pressing its claims internationally. Its territories and the sovereign rights therein are inalienable. The 1994 constitution reflected both a backlash against the dergs ethnic violence and ethiopia s multitude of ethnic groups. The empire of ethiopia comprises all the territories, including the islands and the territorial waters, under the sovereignty of the ethiopian crown. Revised constitution of the empire of ethiopia for the benefit, welfare and.
This article examines ethiopia s competition and consumer protection laws, and focuses on merger regulation. Clapham, ethiopia faculty of law, haile sellassie i university, 1967 history 1021 pages. Finally, in 1955 he proclaimed a revised constitution. Pdf constitution, constitutionalism and foundation of democracy in. Ethiopia s revised constitution introduction the revised ethiopian constitution promulgated by emperor haile selassie on november 4, 1955, marks a further advance of the ethiopian government toward the center stage of the modern world. Such opinion was particularly important at a time when some neighboring african states were rapidly advancing under european colonial tutelage and ethiopia was pressing its claims internationally for the incorporation of eritrea. On the first election held under the revised constitution see ethiopia observer, vol. Having been desirous to do away with the negative impact hindering. Constitution is a set of fundamental laws that govern and guide the power and function of the government. Apparently, he sought to provide a formal basis for his efforts at centralization and to attract the loyalty of those who gained their livelihood from relatively modern economic activities or who were better educated than most ethiopians. The peoples democratic republic of ethiopia shall, while ae romplishing the national democratic revolution, lay the foundation for the.
Their sovereignty shall be expressed through their representatives elected in accordance with this constitution and through their direct democratic participation article 9 supremacy of the constitution. 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. Chapter 1 the context of the federal system in ethiopia 11 part one 1. Artical 31 a the emperor alone confers and withdraws the title of prince and other honours, and institutes new orders. The difference between constitution of ethiopia in derg. 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. Jan 15, 2018 the 2001revised constitution of the amhara national regional state by abrham yohannes on november 20, 2011 leave a comment the 2001revised constitution of the amhara national regional state download pdf preamble we, the peoples of the amhara national regional state. All the natives of ethiopia, subjects of the empire, form together the ethiopian empire. The existence of constitution is paramount important for the development of democracy in a specific country. Law and religion in ethiopia the evolution of a complex.
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. Emperor haile selassie proclaimed a revised constitution in 1955. C it is the emperors right to administer all of the inalienable properties of. Ethiopia to announce a second and revised constitution in 1955 because the. Introduction in 1994, ethiopia enacted its new constitution. Strongly committed, in full and free exercise of our right to selfdetermination, to. Constitution of the federal democratic republic of ethiopia home basic information general. Since,constitutionalism does not mean only having constitution. The constitution provides sovereign power to all nationals and people of ethiopia. History of ethiopian parliament about us house of peoples. Even foreign nationals can apply to get ethiopian nationality through specified legal procedure. However, these pledges were not translated into practice.
The sovereignty can be determined by selecting representative as per constitutional laws and by actively participating in the democratic process. The following english translation of the ethiopian draft constitution is an unofficial. The revised constitution of the afar national regional state. We, the peoples of the amhara national regional state. What is the difference beteween 1931 and 1955 constitution. The 1955 constitution was prompted, like its 1931 predecessor, by a concern with international opinion. Having been desirous to do away with the negative impact hindering our overall development which the age old oppressive system had for long imposed upon us by cruelly support essaying our human and democratic rights and thereby exposing us all to the scourge of poverty and backwardness as a result unjustified. Pdf constitution, constitutionalism and foundation of.
This act may be called the constitution forth amendment act, 1955. The objective of this paper is to examine the place of customary and religious laws and practices in the ethiopian constitutions. In 1557 jesuit missionaries arrived, but their ongoing attempts to convert the ethiopian emperors from coptic christianity to roman catholicism were largely unsuccessful, and provoked social. The imperial constitution mostly emphasised on the following three point specially the 1931 constitution 1. The criminal code of the federal democratic republic of ethiopia preface it is nearly half a century since the 1957 penal code entered into operation. 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. Constitution applies equally for male and female nationals.
The revised constitution of the afar national regional. Particulars relating to nationality shall be determined by law. 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. Ethiopia has a history of over three thousand years and is mentioned in the old testament. Its history, implications and limitations in africa in.
Such opinion was particularly important at a time when some neighboring african states were rapidly advancing under european colonial tutelage and ethiopia was pressing its claims internationally for the. 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. As a result, the study shows that the 1995 fdre constitution better incorporated the. 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.
The constitution fourth amendment act, 1955 national. Foreign nationals may acquire ethiopian nationality. Article 7 gender reference provisions of this constitution set out in the masculine gender shall also apply to the feminine gender. Revised constitution of ethiopia as promulgated by his imperial majesty his majesty hail e sellassi e i on twentyfourth tekemt one thousand nine hindred and forty eight 4th november, 1955 on the occasion of the twentyfifth anniversary of his coronation negarit gazeta 15th year no. The fifth section looks into joint venture control.
Twibell t woe to the nation in which each tribe claims to be a nation. The the pattern followed for state formation is gene rally ethnolinguistic a rticles 46 and 48. Constitution of the federal democratic republic of ethiopia. All ethiopian subjects, whether living within or without the empire, constitute the. Proclamation promulgating the revised constitution of the empire of ethiopia conquering lion of the tribe of judah haile sellassie i elect of god, emperor of ethiopia whereas, twentyfour years ago, at the beginning of our reign, we. Given in our imperial capital, on this the 24th day of tekemt, 1948 ethiopian calandar, and on the twentyfifth anniversary of our coronation. Be it enacted by parliament in the sixth year of the republic of india as follows. About the constitution of the federal democratic republic of ethiopia. The constitution fourth amendment act, 1955 27th april, 1955. Ethiopian constitution of 1955 6 b from the date of the proclamation of the present constitution, all realty registered in the name of the crown bete mengist are held in trust for the crown under the guardianship of the emperor and are inalienable. Finally, the article concludes with suggestions to improve ethiopian merger regulation. It compares the merger regulations of the united states of america, european union, united kingdom and south africa, and highlights lessons this comparison has for ethiopia.
If you would like to participate, please visit the project page, where you can join the discussion and see a list of open tasks. We, haile selassie i, emperor of ethiopia, do, on the occasion of the twenty. Title constitution of the federal democratic republic of ethiopia publisher national legislative bodies country ethiopia publication date 21 august 1995 reference eth010 cite as constitution of the federal democratic republic of ethiopia ethiopia, 21 august 1995. Ethiopian constitution the africa center university of pennsylvania. Thus, the eprdf that assumed power in may 1991 after its protracted 17 year armed insurgency undertaken the reconstruction of the ethiopian state. History and ideology 57 selfadministration through regional autonomy. Aug 04, 2015 the objective of this paper is to examine the place of customary and religious laws and practices in the ethiopian constitutions. The first written constitution was the 1931 constitution, which was revised in 1955. Revised constitution of the empire of ethiopia for the benefit, welfare and progress of our beloved people. The law shall determine the conditions of acquisition and loss of ethiopian.
Ethiopian orthodox church was the established church of the empire and was, as such, supported by the state. Having been desirous to do away with the negative impact. This constitution establishes a federal and democratic state structure. Emperor haile selassie proclaimed a revised constitution in november 1955 of the empire of. Ethiopia and the early islamic period warriors from the islamic state of adal with their leader gragn ahmed invaded ethiopia beginning about 1527. In article 3 of the constitution, for the proviso, the following proviso shall be substituted. This constitution was prompted, like its 1931 predecessor, by a concern with international opinion. In the modern history of ethiopia both women and many ethnocultural communities have been victims of. Ethiopian constitution of 1931 3 may be appointed o cers in the army or civil o cials, or to any other posts or o ces in the service of the state. A thesis submitted for the degree of phd at the university of. Despite this the mere existence of constitution cannot be a guarantee for constitutionalism. Ethiopias 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. The constitution consists of 106 articles in 11 chapters. The revised ethiopian constitution promulgated by emperor haile selassie on november 4, 1955, marks a further advance of the ethiopian government toward the center stage of the modern world.
As pointed out in the emperors speech from the throne, the new charter has been intro. Three years ago, in implementation of the provisions of that constitution, free elections were held throughout our empire and our people participated directly in the choice of their representatives in this legislative body. A thesis submitted for the degree of phd at the university. Such opinion was particularly important at a time when some neighboring african states were rapidly advancing under european colonial tutelage and ethiopia was pressing its claims internationally for the incorporation of eritrea, where an.
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. Early on in hailie selassies pictured seated time as ruler of ethiopia, he introduced the countrys first constitution, which allowed for a bicameral, or twohouse, ruling body on this day. The second part of this paper deals with constitutionalism. To this end, the study made comparison as to the place of those elements in the four constitutions, thereby implying the changes and continuities. This article is within the scope of wikiproject ethiopia, a collaborative effort to improve the coverage of ethiopia on wikipedia. Haile selassie introduced constitution on this day in 1931. Constitutional development in ethiopia journal of african. Constitutional history of ethiopia constitutionnet. A read is counted each time someone views a publication summary such as the title, abstract, and list of authors, clicks on a figure, or views or downloads the fulltext.
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