Legal System of Ethiopia

Ethiopia is located in Africa. It is geographically situated in eastern africa, west of somalia. The country achieved independence on oldest independent country in africa and one of the oldest in the world, at least 2,000 years; may be traced to the aksumite kingdom, which appeared in the first century b.c.. The capital is Addis Ababa.

Government Overview

Government Type: federal parliamentary republic Chief of State: President TAYE Atske Selassie (since 7 October 2024) Head of Government: Prime Minister ABIY Ahmed Ali (since April 2018) Cabinet: Council of Ministers selected by the prime minister and approved by the House of People’s Representatives Administrative Divisions: 12 ethnically based regional states (kililoch, singular - kilil) and 2 chartered cities* (astedader akabibiwach, singular - astedader akabibi); Adis Abeba* (Addis Ababa), Afar, Amara (Amhara), Binshangul Gumuz, Dire Dawa*, Gambela Hizboch (Gambela), Hareri Hizb (Harari), Oromia, Sidama, Sumale, Tigray, YeDebub Biheroch Bihereseboch na Hizboch (Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples), YeDebub M’irab Ityop’iya Hizboch (Southwest Ethiopia Peoples), Southern Ethiopia Peoples National Holiday: Derg Downfall Day (defeat of MENGISTU regime), 28 May (1991) Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal

Legal System

The legal system of Ethiopia is described as civil law system International Law: has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt

Constitutional Framework

The constitution has the following history: several previous; latest drafted June 1994, adopted 8 December 1994, entered into force 21 August 1995 Amendment Process: proposals submitted for discussion require two-thirds majority approval in either house of Parliament or majority approval of one-third of the State Councils; passage of amendments other than constitutional articles on fundamental rights and freedoms and the initiation and amendment of the constitution requires two-thirds majority vote in a joint session of Parliament and majority vote by two thirds of the State Councils; passage of amendments affecting rights and freedoms and amendment procedures requires two-thirds majority vote in each house of Parliament and majority vote by all the State Councils

Judicial Branch

Highest Court(s): Federal Supreme Court (consists of 11 judges) Judge Selection: president and vice president of Federal Supreme Court recommended by the prime minister and appointed by the House of People’s Representatives; other Supreme Court judges nominated by the Federal Judicial Administrative Council (a 10-member body chaired by the president of the Federal Supreme Court) and appointed by the House of People’s Representatives; judges serve until retirement at age 60 Subordinate Courts: federal high courts and federal courts of first instance; state court systems (mirror structure of federal system); sharia courts and customary and traditional courts

Legislative Branch

The legislative structure consists of bicameral Note: note: the House of Federation is responsible for interpreting the constitution and federal-regional issues, and the House of People’s Representatives is responsible for passing legislation Lower Chamber: House of Peoples’ Representatives (Yehizb Tewokayoch Mekir Bete) (547 (all directly elected) seats) Electoral System (Lower Chamber): plurality/majority Upper Chamber: House of the Federation (Yefedereshein Mekir Bete)

Citizenship and Suffrage

Citizenship by Birth: no Citizenship by Descent: at least one parent must be a citizen of Ethiopia Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal

Historical Background

The area that is modern-day Ethiopia is rich in cultural and religious diversity with more than 80 ethnic groups. The oldest hominid yet found comes from Ethiopia, and Ethiopia was the second country to officially adopt Christianity in the 4th century A.D. A series of monarchies ruled the area that is now Ethiopia from 980 B.C. to 1855, when the Amhara kingdoms of northern Ethiopia united in an empire under Tewodros II.

This article provides a summary of the legal system and governmental structure of Ethiopia based on the CIA World Factbook. The Factbook is a public domain publication of the United States Central Intelligence Agency.