Government of Ethiopia
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (January 2013) |
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| Formation | 21 August 1995 |
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| Country | Ethiopia |
| Website | Official website |
| Legislative branch | |
| Legislature | Federal Parliamentary Assembly |
| Speaker | |
| Meeting place | Addis Ababa |
| Executive branch | |
| Prime Minister | Abiy Ahmed |
| Main body | Council of Ministers |
| President | Taye Atske Selassie |
| Appointed by | House of People's Representatives |
| Headquarters | Niger Street, Arat Kilo, Addis Ababa 9°01′52″N 38°45′50″E / 9.0311°N 38.7639°E |
| Judicial branch | |
| Court | Federal Supreme Court |
| Seat | Addis Ababa |
The government of Ethiopia (Amharic: የኢትዮጵያ መንግሥት, romanized: Ye-Ītyōṗṗyā mängəst) is the federal government of Ethiopia. It is structured in a framework of a federal parliamentary republic, whereby the prime minister is the head of government. Executive power is exercised by the government. The prime minister is chosen by the lower chamber of the Federal Parliamentary Assembly. Federal legislative power is vested in both the government and the two chambers of parliament. The judiciary is more or less independent of the executive and the legislature. They are governed under the 1995 Constitution of Ethiopia. There is a bicameral parliament made of the 108-seat House of Federation and the 547-seat House of Peoples' Representatives. The House of Federation has members chosen by the regional councils to serve five-year terms. The House of Peoples' Representatives is elected by direct election, who in turn elect the president for a six-year term.
History
[edit]Ethiopia has always oscillated between centralisation of power, this was accelerated under the 19th century emperors Tewodros II (1855–68) and Yohannes IV (1872–89).[1] This was replicated in modern times under the Stalinist Derg regime, after the fall of the Derg, the federalism introduced in 1991 by the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF).[2]
Historically, the Ethiopian Empire, known as "Abyssinia" and "Ze-Etiyopia" called prior to the mid-19th century, consisted mainly of the Amhara and Tigrayans. These are northern people who share a similar language, culture and customs, who now make up c. 24% and 6% respectively of modern Ethiopia. Tewodros II reunified Northern Ethiopia from 1855, while his successor Yohannes IV embarked on a series of brutal military campaigns between 1880–1889 to conquer and annex the southern and eastern regions, namely western Oromo, Sidama, Gurage, Wolayta and other groups, leading largely to the current national borders.[1]
The inhabitants of these Southern states had different languages and customs; mostly Muslim and Pagan, but particularly the most populous group, the Oromos, 34% currently, occupied valuable agricultural and developable lands which now contain the capital Addis Ababa, the heart of urban Ethiopia and its industrial hub on traditional Oromo lands.
The conquest involved mass killings, which would now be termed genocide, enslavement, land confiscation and forcible conversion to Ethiopian Orthodox Christianity, motivated by a cultural contempt for what were considered inferior peoples.[3] These historical memories persist in part, aggravated even today by ‘land grabs’ in the southern Oromo heartland by the ruling non-Oromo hegemony and by similar competition for land and resources between the Amhara and Ethiopian Somalis in the North.[4]
The centralised Ethiopian Empire under Haile Selassie was abolished following the Ethiopian Revolution, the Mengistu and communist Derg coup of 1974, replaced by an equally centralised Marxist-Leninist system, including the continuation of the military campaigns started by Haile Selassie in 1961 against the resistance within Eritrea, annexed in 1961, which persisted until 1991, and against the Somali Ogaden invasion of 1977/78.[5]
Following the dissolution of the Derg in 1991, by the TPLF, which ended the Ethiopian Civil War and established independence for Eritrea, Ethiopia formed a transitional government along federal lines which lasted until 1995. The 1995 Constitution of Ethiopia was promulgated by the Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF), which enshrined a form of ethnic-based federalism, consisting of 11 ethno-linguistically defined regional states and 2 chartered cities. The states are: Afar; Amhara, Benishangul-Gumuz; Gambela; Harari; Oromia; Somali; the Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples' Region; Tigray; Sidama; and South West Ethiopia. The chartered cities are Addis Ababa, the country's capital, and Dire Dawa. The federal structure was intended to alleviate the persistent historical ethnic tensions by establishing regional autonomy and a degree of self-rule. Article 39, Section 1 states: "Every nation, nationality and people has an unconditional right to self-determination including the right to section."[6] Each ethnic territory was thus given the right to secede, which was welcomed by those federally-minded but proved controversial amongst supporters of Ethiopian nationalism and its diaspora, especially the previously dominant Amhara, who feared it would decentralise government and induce ethnic tensions.
After the 1995 general election, Meles Zenawi, chairman of the Tigray People's Liberation Front, was appointed as Prime Minister. His government reversed the communist policies of the Derg and progressively encouraged privatization of government companies, farms, lands, and investments. This socioeconomic and partial political liberalization within a federalist system, combined with a return of considerable foreign investment led to significant economic growth, double-digit in his last 9 years until his sudden death in 2012. His deputy Hailemariam Desalegn, assumed power, which was only confirmed by elections in 2015.[7] Under the leadership of Hailemariam, the Tigray People's Liberation Front and EPRDF maintained the same policies until 2018, earning Ethiopia the status as the fastest-growing economy in Africa.[8] While Meles introduced many social reforms, there was still a notable degree of political and media suppression, coupled with allegations of election meddling in 2005. The TPLF, drawn from only 6% of the population, was seen as unduly favourable to Tigrayans, with resentment from the majority Oromos (34%) and Amhara (27%), with ethnic clashes also involving Ethiopian Somalis (6%).[9]
Legislative branch
[edit]The Federal Parliamentary Assembly has two chambers: the House of People's Representatives (Yehizbtewekayoch Mekir Bet) with 547 members, elected for five-year terms in single-seat constituencies; and the House of the Federation (Yefedereshn Mekir Bet) with 112 members, one for each nationality, and one additional representative for each one million of its population, designated by the regional councils, which may elect them themselves or through popular elections.
Judicial branch
[edit]The president and vice president of the Federal Supreme Court are recommended by the prime minister and appointed by the House of People's Representatives; for other federal judges, the prime minister submits candidates selected by the Federal Judicial Administrative Council to the House of People's Representatives for appointment. In May 2007, the Ethiopian Federal courts received the Technology in Government in Africa (TIGA) award that is provided by Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) and the Canadian e-Policy Resource Center (CePRC).[10]
With regard to the legal profession, although organizations such as the Ethiopian Lawyers' Association (formerly the Ethiopian Bar Association) and the Ethiopian Women Lawyers Association (EWLA) are in existence, there is no clear indication as to how demographic groups, such as women, have fared in the legal field.
Executive branch
[edit]| Office | Name | Party | Since |
|---|---|---|---|
| President | Taye Atske Selassie | Independent | 7 October 2024 |
| Prime Minister | Abiy Ahmed | Prosperity Party | 2 April 2018 |
The president is elected by the House of People's Representatives for a six-year term. The prime minister is designated by the party in power following legislative elections. The Council of Ministers, according to the 1995 constitution, consists of the Prime Minister, the Deputy Prime Minister, other Ministers and other members as determined and approved by the House of People's Representatives. Among the ministries are the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Ministry of Water Resources, the Ministry of Health, and the Ministry of the Environment.
Administrative divisions
[edit]Ethiopia is divided into 12 ethno-linguistically based regional states and 2 chartered cities. The states are: Afar; Amhara, Benishangul/Gumaz; Gambela; Harari; Oromia; Somali; South Ethiopia; Central Ethiopia; Tigray; Sidama; South West Ethiopia. The chartered cities are Addis Ababa, the country's capital, and Dire Dawa.
Managing Internal Administrative Systems
[edit]Context
[edit]In the early 1990’s, a number of reforms to improve the public sector service in Ethiopia was introduced. The Public Service Reform Programme (PSRP) [11] focused on key areas that impacted on how public services were provided to communities and individuals in Ethiopia. These key areas included:
- Civil Service reform – focused on how the civil service would provide services at a professional level including improving how civil servants would serve the public [12]
- Decentralisation - allocating administrative responsibilities from federal government to regional and local government – connecting locally with communities to provide public services[13]
- Institutional structures & governance – the three key areas that the Public Sector was organised into – Federal government; Regional governments; and Local governments to improve a more structured approach to provided public services.[14]
Public Sector and Services working within the current Ethiopian Governance Structure
[edit]Ethiopia’s public sector comprises of government institutions and organisations that manage public resources, implement policies and provide public services to those are need them. The system is organised based on the country’s federal system which includes federal, regional and local levels of government.[15]
Federal government
- The Executive Branch: Led by the Prime Minister and includes the Council of Ministers. This branch is responsible for policy implementation and the day-to-day administration of government affairs.
- The Legislative Branch: Parliament comprises of two chambers - the House of Peoples’ Representatives (the lower house) and the House of Federation (the upper house). These bodies are responsible for passing laws, approving budgets, and overseeing the executive.
- The Judicial Branch: Ethiopia’s judiciary is independent and includes federal courts responsible for adjudicating legal matters at the national level. The highest court is the Federal Supreme Court.
- Federal Institutions: Assorted government ministries and agencies implement specific functions like education, health, agriculture, and security. These institutions are headed by ministers or commissioners and manage public resources, policy implementation, and service delivery at the federal level.[16]
Regional government
- Ethiopia is a federal state and divided into 12 regional states based on ethnicity. These regional states have a significant degree of autonomy and have their own regional governments. They are responsible for policy areas such as education and health, tailored to the specific needs of their populations.
- While regional states have considerable autonomy, the federal government plays a role in ensuring that the public service system across all regions, functions according to the country’s constitutional principles. The regional states are required to cooperate with the federal government on matters that have national importance, such as policy reforms, national development plans, and certain legal matters that affect all regions.
- The regions are each governed by a regional council whose members are directly elected to represent woredas (districts). Woredas in Ethiopia are the administrative districts or local government units within the regional states. Each woreda is responsible for local governance, administration, and service delivery to its population. [17]
Local government
- The local governments (woredas and kebeles) are the smallest administrative units in this public sector structure. They implement policies and programmes from both the regional and federal governments. Local authorities are often held responsible by their respective regional governments, but they too, must follow federal policies.
- The structure of woredas is designed to bring government closer to the people, allowing for more localized decision-making and management. These serve as the key units for implementing government policies and programmes at the grassroots level.
- Ethiopia has over 800 woredas, each of which can be further divided into kebeles (at the local government level). Kebeles are like neighborhoods or villages, and they serve as the primary interface between the government and the local population.[18]
Civil Servants
[edit]Civil servants in Ethiopia carry out government policies and provide public services. The public service system is organised into ministries, bureaus, and agencies. These are guided by civil service laws and regulations. The Ethiopian Civil Service Commission (CSC) oversees the public sector, ensuring it runs effectively. The CSC handles human resources, regulatory compliance, institutional development, and public sector reforms, playing a key role in improving governance and service delivery in Ethiopia.[19] [20] [21][22]
The key areas that the CSC oversees for the Federal government; and provides advice and guidance to Regional and Local governments are:
Human Resource Management - responsible for overseeing the recruitment, placement, promotion, and career development of public servants at all levels of government (federal, regional, and local). This includes recruitment and selection where CSC establishes guidelines and systems for recruitment across ministries, agencies, and other public institutions. Promotion and career development to ensure clear career paths for civil servants are established. Training and capacity building – to enhance the skills and capabilities of public servants through professional training.
Regulation and Oversight – development of and enforcing policies, laws, and regulations governing the public service. This area ensures that public servants adhere to ethical standards, professional conduct, and legal requirements including the development and implementation of the Code of Conduct; and monitoring compliance to ensure the implementation of civil service laws and regulations, ensuring that institutions follow procedures for managing employees and their duties.
Institutional Capacity Building - working to enhance the institutional capacity of government agencies and ministries to better serve the public. This involves organisational development where government institutions are structured effectively and that human resources are managed in a way that maximises efficiency and impact. The CSC also looks after management of public sector reforms aimed at improving governance, efficiency and responsiveness to citizens’ needs.
Public Service Reform and Modernisation – the CSC plays a central role in leading efforts to modernise and reform Ethiopia’s public sector. These reforms might include improving administrative processes, implementing new technologies for service delivery, and ensuring that public services are more accountable to citizens.
Policy Development - contributing to the development of national policies related to public sector management, the CSC provides input on laws, regulations, and strategies related to the civil service, including labour laws and policies concerning public sector wages, benefits, and working conditions.
Dispute Resolution and Grievances - the CSC also has a role in addressing disputes and grievances within the civil service. It handles complaints from public employees, ensures fair treatment in the workplace, and can mediate conflicts between public servants and their employers.
Coordination with Other Entities – the CSC coordinates with other government agencies, regional civil service commissions, and stakeholders in implementing public sector reforms and policies. It also works with international organisations, development partners, and experts on civil service management.
Research and Data Collection – the CSC conducts research and data collection to better understand the functioning of the civil service, employee satisfaction, and areas that need improvement. This research informs policy decisions and helps guide reform efforts.
Promotion of Diversity and Inclusivity – as Ethiopia is such a diverse country, the CSC works to ensure that the civil service reflects the country’s diversity, promoting gender equality, ethnic inclusion, and equal opportunity for all Ethiopians in public service employment.
Summary
[edit]Overall, Ethiopia’s public sector is structured to balance national unity with regional diversity and is aimed at addressing the country’s socio-economic challenges through a combination of centralised policy-making and decentralised administration.
The Ethiopian Civil Service Commission is a central body tasked with ensuring the effective and efficient functioning of the public sector. It oversees human resource management, regulatory compliance, institutional development, and the implementation of public sector reforms. By playing a strategic role in the development and management of the workforce, the CSC contributes significantly to Ethiopia’s overall governance and service delivery.
References
[edit]- ^ a b Young, John (June 1998). "Regionalism and Democracy in Ethiopia". Third World Quarterly. 19 (2): 191–204. doi:10.1080/01436599814415. ISSN 0143-6597. JSTOR 3993156.
- ^ "Ethiopia: Ethnic Federalism and Its Discontents". 4 September 2009.
- ^ Bulcha, Mekuria (2006). "Genocidal violence in the making of nation and state in Ethiopia". African Sociological Review / Revue Africaine de Sociologie. 9 (2): 1–54. doi:10.4314/asr.v9i2.23257.
- ^ "Land Grabbing in Ethiopia".
- ^ "Ethiopian-Somali War over the Ogaden Region (1977–1978) •". 21 March 2016.
- ^ Abdullahi, Ahmednasir M. (1998). "Article 39 of the Ethiopian Constitution On Secession and Self-determination: A Panacea to the Nationality Question in Africa?". Verfassung und Recht in Übersee / Law and Politics in Africa, Asia and Latin America. 31 (4): 440–455. doi:10.5771/0506-7286-1998-4-440. ISSN 0506-7286. JSTOR 43110295. S2CID 127578424.
- ^ "Ethiopia: Parliament session on Meles succession delayed". BBC News. 22 August 2012.
- ^ "Ethiopia is Africa's fastest-growing economy".
- ^ Albin-Lackey, Christopher (9 May 2005). "Suppressing Dissent: Human Rights Abuses and Political Repression in Ethiopia's Oromia Region". Human Rights Watch.
- ^ Ethiopian federal court receives TIGA award[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Ethiopia | People, Flag, Religion, Language, Capital, Map, Population, War, & Facts | Britannica". www.britannica.com. 2025-02-05. Retrieved 2025-02-05.
- ^ "Ethiopia | People, Flag, Religion, Language, Capital, Map, Population, War, & Facts | Britannica". www.britannica.com. 2025-02-05. Retrieved 2025-02-05.
- ^ "Ethiopia | People, Flag, Religion, Language, Capital, Map, Population, War, & Facts | Britannica". www.britannica.com. 2025-02-05. Retrieved 2025-02-05.
- ^ "Ethiopia | People, Flag, Religion, Language, Capital, Map, Population, War, & Facts | Britannica". www.britannica.com. 2025-02-05. Retrieved 2025-02-05.
- ^ Vértesy, László; Lemango, Teketel Bekalo (2022-11-12). "Public Administration Developments in Ethiopia Under Three Different Regimes". Hrvatska i komparativna javna uprava. 22 (3): 403–430. doi:10.31297/hkju.22.3.6.
- ^ Vértesy, László; Lemango, Teketel Bekalo (2022-11-12). "Public Administration Developments in Ethiopia Under Three Different Regimes". Hrvatska i komparativna javna uprava. 22 (3): 403–430. doi:10.31297/hkju.22.3.6.
- ^ Vértesy, László; Lemango, Teketel Bekalo (2022-11-12). "Public Administration Developments in Ethiopia Under Three Different Regimes". Hrvatska i komparativna javna uprava. 22 (3): 403–430. doi:10.31297/hkju.22.3.6.
- ^ Vértesy, László; Lemango, Teketel Bekalo (2022-11-12). "Public Administration Developments in Ethiopia Under Three Different Regimes". Hrvatska i komparativna javna uprava. 22 (3): 403–430. doi:10.31297/hkju.22.3.6.
- ^ "Ethiopia". U.S. Department of State. Retrieved 2025-02-05.
- ^ "Ethiopia - Federalism, Constitution, Governance | Britannica". www.britannica.com. 2025-02-05. Retrieved 2025-02-05.
- ^ "Ministries". safaricom.et. Archived from the original on 2024-11-12. Retrieved 2025-02-05.
- ^ Vértesy, László; Lemango, Teketel Bekalo (2022-11-12). "Public Administration Developments in Ethiopia Under Three Different Regimes". Hrvatska i komparativna javna uprava. 22 (3): 403–430. doi:10.31297/hkju.22.3.6.
