Ethiopia · Constitution
Constitution of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia
In force since August 1995, and the most thoroughgoing experiment in ethnic federalism anywhere. Sovereignty is vested in the nations, nationalities and peoples of Ethiopia rather than in the citizenry as an undifferentiated whole, and the federation is composed of regional states drawn substantially along ethno-linguistic lines. Article 39 grants every nation and nationality an unconditional right of self-determination up to and including secession, subject to a procedure requiring a two-thirds regional council vote and a referendum — a provision with no parallel in any other federal constitution currently in force, and the route by which Eritrea's separation was legitimated. Article 40 vests all land in the state and the people and forbids its sale.
The constitutional text
In force since August 1995, and the most thoroughgoing experiment in ethnic federalism anywhere. Sovereignty is vested in the nations, nationalities and peoples of Ethiopia rather than in the citizenry as an undifferentiated whole, and the federation is composed of regional states drawn substantially along ethno-linguistic lines. Article 39 grants every nation and nationality an unconditional right of self-determination up to and including secession, subject to a procedure requiring a two-thirds regional council vote and a referendum — a provision with no parallel in any other federal constitution currently in force, and the route by which Eritrea's separation was legitimated. Article 40 vests all land in the state and the people and forbids its sale.
Separation of powers
Federal, with regional states and two chartered cities, Addis Ababa and Dire Dawa. Regions have their own constitutions, legislatures, executives and court systems, and residual power lies with them rather than the federation. Regional courts exercise delegated federal jurisdiction in areas where federal first-instance courts have not been established, so the two systems interlock in practice.
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