Simone Lawson
The 1987 and 1995 Ethiopian Constitutions are significant legislative documents that reflect the country's changing political dynamics and governance objectives. The 1987 Constitution established a centralized, one-party system under the Derg regime, which was based on Marxist-Leninist ideology. In contrast, the 1995 Constitution introduced a federal system that allowed for multiple political parties, promoting democratic governance and recognizing the country's ethnic diversity. This shift marked a significant transformation in Ethiopia's political landscape, moving away from an authoritarian regime to a more inclusive, decentralized, and ethnically autonomous system that guaranteed fundamental rights to its citizens.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Centralization | The 1987 Constitution established a centralized one-party system, while the 1995 Constitution introduced a federal system. |
| Political parties | The 1987 Constitution maintained a single-party system, whereas the 1995 Constitution allowed for multiple parties. |
| Governance | The 1987 Constitution was enacted under the Derg regime, which was based on Marxist-Leninist ideology. The 1995 Constitution promoted democratic governance and greater regional autonomy. |
| Ethnic diversity | The 1987 Constitution did not recognize Ethiopia's ethnic diversity, whereas the 1995 Constitution emphasized it, providing regions with the right to self-determination and secession. |
| Human rights | The 1995 Constitution had a strong emphasis on human rights and freedoms, a significant advancement from the limited rights under the 1987 Constitution. |
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What You'll Learn
The 1987 Constitution was enacted during the Derg regime
Ethiopia is the oldest independent country in Africa and one of the oldest in the world. The country has a long history of highly personalised and centralised government. In 1974, civil unrest led to a Marxist coup that overthrew Emperor Selassie and installed a socialist military government, known as the Derg, led by Lt. Col. Mengistu. The Derg regime was characterised by its oppressive and violent nature, with the implementation of a totalitarian-style government and the killing or torture of thousands during the "Red Terror". This regime, which lasted until 1991, was financed by the Soviet Union and was based on Marxist-Leninist ideology.
The 1987 Constitution was enacted during this Derg regime and reflected the government's ideology. It established a centralised, one-party system, with no room for political dissent. This constitution did not accommodate Ethiopia's ethnic diversity, instead maintaining a uniform approach to governance.
The Derg regime was overthrown in 1991 by a coalition of rebel groups, including the Tigrayan Peoples' Liberation Front (TPLF) and the Ethiopian Peoples' Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF). This marked a significant shift in Ethiopia's political landscape, moving towards democracy and federalism. The 1995 Constitution, a direct result of the new government's pursuit of "ethnic democracy", introduced a federal system that allowed for multiple political parties, promoting democratic governance.
The 1995 Constitution, therefore, represented a break from the Derg regime's centralised and oppressive nature, fostering greater regional autonomy and recognising Ethiopia's ethnic diversity. It provided for a federal government of nine ethnically based regions, each with the right to manage local affairs and pursue cultural interests. This shift towards recognising and respecting the ethnic composition of the nation was a significant transition in Ethiopia's governance.
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The 1995 Constitution introduced a federal system
The 1995 Constitution of Ethiopia introduced a federal system, marking a significant shift in the country's political landscape. This move towards federalism represented a departure from the centralised, one-party system established by the 1987 Constitution under the Derg regime. The Derg, led by Lt. Col. Mengistu, had overthrown Emperor Selassie in 1974 and installed a socialist military government backed by the Soviet Union. The Derg regime was characterised by its Marxist-Leninist ideology, strict control, and suppression of political dissent.
The federal system introduced by the 1995 Constitution provided for a federal government of nine ethnically based regions, reflecting Ethiopia's diverse ethnic composition. These regions were granted the right to self-determination and the option for secession. This recognition of ethnic diversity and regional autonomy was a notable contrast to the uniform governance approach of the 1987 Constitution, which did not accommodate Ethiopia's ethnic variety.
The 1995 Constitution also emphasised human rights and democratic principles. It provided for a parliamentary system, with a mostly ceremonial president as head of state and executive power vested in a Council of Ministers headed by a prime minister. The constitution expressly guaranteed a set of basic human rights, including language rights, with Article 5 stating that "all Ethiopian languages shall enjoy equal state recognition". This again contrasted with the uniform language policy under the 1987 Constitution.
The introduction of a federal system in the 1995 Constitution was a result of the government's pursuit of "ethnic democracy". Ethnicity became the foundation for political parties, and the constitutional structure cemented it as the defining issue in Ethiopian politics. This shift towards recognising and respecting Ethiopia's ethnic composition and promoting democratic governance represented a significant transformation in the country's political landscape.
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The 1987 Constitution did not accommodate Ethiopia's ethnic diversity
Ethiopia is the oldest independent country in Africa and one of the oldest independent countries in the world. Emperor Menelik II created the current Ethiopian state in the late 19th and early 20th centuries through expansion and conquest, resulting in a state with over 80 ethnic groups speaking more than 70 languages.
The 1987 Constitution was enacted during the Derg regime, which was marked by Marxist-Leninist ideology and a one-party system. This constitution established a centralized, one-party system, which did not accommodate Ethiopia's ethnic diversity. It maintained a uniform approach to governance, failing to recognize the nation's diverse ethnic composition.
In contrast, the 1995 Constitution introduced a federal system, allowing for multiple political parties and promoting democratic governance. This shift marked a significant transformation in Ethiopia's political landscape, fostering greater regional autonomy and democratic principles. The 1995 Constitution recognized and respected Ethiopia's ethnic diversity, providing regions with the right to self-determination and the option for secession. It emphasized human rights and freedoms, guaranteeing fundamental rights to its citizens.
The 1995 Constitution consists of 106 articles in 11 chapters, detailing matters such as state nomenclature, territorial jurisdiction, and the Ethiopian flag. It provides for a parliamentary system, with a ceremonial president as head of state and executive power vested in a Council of Ministers led by a prime minister. The constitution also expressly provides for a set of basic human rights, interpreted according to international declarations and covenants.
The shift from the 1987 to the 1995 Constitution reflects Ethiopia's changing political dynamics and governance objectives, moving away from an authoritarian regime towards a more democratic and inclusive system.
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The 1995 Constitution recognised the nation's ethnic variety
The 1995 Constitution of Ethiopia was a significant shift from the 1987 Constitution, which was enacted under the Derg regime, a Marxist-Leninist, one-party system. The 1995 Constitution recognised the nation's ethnic variety, fostering greater regional autonomy and democratic principles.
Ethiopia is a country with a vast array of ethnic groups and languages, and the 1995 Constitution acknowledged this diversity. It provided for a federal system of government, with nine ethnically based regions, each with the right to manage its local affairs and pursue its cultural interests. This was a marked difference from the centralised, uniform approach of the 1987 Constitution.
The 1995 Constitution expressly provided for a set of basic human rights and democratic freedoms, with a strong emphasis on the rights of the nations, nationalities, and peoples of Ethiopia. Article 5 of the Constitution states that "all Ethiopian languages shall enjoy equal state recognition", a notable contrast to the previous language policy.
The recognition of Ethiopia's ethnic diversity was a defining feature of the 1995 Constitution, and it had a significant impact on the country's political landscape. It moved away from the authoritarian regime of the past, guaranteeing fundamental rights to its citizens and allowing for multiple political parties. This shift towards democracy and federalism was a direct result of the government's pursuit of "ethnic democracy", where ethnicity serves as the foundation for political parties and the structure of the federal system.
The 1995 Constitution, therefore, not only recognised Ethiopia's ethnic variety but also empowered its diverse regions and people, fostering a more inclusive and democratic nation.
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The 1995 Constitution fostered greater regional autonomy
Ethiopia has a history of highly personalised and centralised government. The 1987 Constitution, enacted under the Derg regime, established a centralised, one-party system based on Marxist-Leninist ideology. This regime was oppressive, with no room for political dissent.
The 1995 Constitution, however, introduced a federal system, allowing for multiple political parties and fostering greater regional autonomy. This shift represented a significant transformation in Ethiopia's political landscape, moving away from an authoritarian regime to a more democratic system. The 1995 Constitution recognised Ethiopia's ethnic diversity, providing regions with the right to self-determination and the option for secession. This recognition of ethnic diversity is reflected in the two-tiered federal system, which consists of a central government and nine ethnically based regional states.
The 1995 Constitution also emphasised human rights and freedoms, guaranteeing its citizens fundamental rights. For example, it recognised language rights, allowing multiple languages to be used in government and education in various regions. It also provided for a parliamentary system, with a mostly ceremonial president as head of state and executive power vested in a Council of Ministers headed by a prime minister.
The process of drafting the 1995 Constitution involved public discussions and debates, with Ethiopians voting for or against each provision. This marked a departure from the uniform governance approach of the 1987 Constitution, which did not accommodate Ethiopia's ethnic diversity. The 1995 Constitution, therefore, fostered greater regional autonomy by empowering regions to manage their local affairs and pursue their cultural interests within a more democratic framework.
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Frequently asked questions
The 1987 Constitution established a centralized, one-party system under the Derg regime, which was based on Marxist-Leninist ideology. The 1995 Constitution, on the other hand, introduced a federal system that allowed for multiple political parties, promoting democratic governance.
The 1987 Constitution did not accommodate Ethiopia's ethnic diversity and maintained a uniform governance approach. In contrast, the 1995 Constitution recognized the country's ethnic variety, providing regions with the right to self-determination and promoting inclusivity.
The 1995 Constitution of Ethiopia, also known as the Constitution of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, is the supreme law of the country. It consists of 106 articles in 11 chapters, covering general provisions on matters such as state nomenclature, territorial jurisdiction, and the Ethiopian flag. It emphasizes human rights, cultural diversity, and political pluralism, and grants significant autonomy to regional states.
