 GOVERNMENT |
In May 1991 Ethiopian insurgents toppled the government of President Mengistu Haile-Mariam, who fled into exile. The Ethiopian Peoples Revo-lutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF), an umbrella group, defeated the numerically superior but demoralized Ethiopian army. Even though the EPRDF had an overwhelming military advantage, it joined with other Ethiopian political forces to share power.
In July 1991 the EPRDF brought together diverse political and ethnic groups for a national conference on the future of the country. Conference participants agreed on the text of a national charter, which guaranteed human rights and set a schedule for establishing a multi-party democracy.
The national conference established a transitional government to administer the country until a new constitution is adopted and national elections are held. The national conference established the 87-member Council of Representatives, the legislative body of Ethiopia. EPRDF Chairman Meles Zenawi was unanimously elected President on July 22, 1991.
| EPRDF Vice Chairman Tamirat Layne was confirmed as Prime Minister shortly thereafter.
The Constituent Assembly was popularly elected in July 1994. A draft of the constitution has been presented to the Constituent Assembly, which is empowered to ratify or modify the draft and adopt the final version of the constitution.
Proclamation NO. 2/1991 defined the powers and duties of the Prime Minister and the 17 member Council of Ministers. The Ministers are selected by the Prime Minister and proposed to the President for approval and appointment. The Prime Minister is the head of the Council of Ministers and is accountable to the President and Council of Representatives.
Proclamation No. 23/1992 established the independence of judicial administration. The judiciary is comprised of the:
Central Government Courts. Central Supreme Court (top court in the country), High Court (appellate court and a trial court for certain types of cases), Central Primary Court (trial court); and
Regional Courts. Regional Supreme Court, Zone Court, Primary Regional Court. |
