Ethipoia

1. Does your country have a common, civil, Islamic, communist, or some other legal system? A combination? For example, some countries have tribal systems in some areas. What are the origins of this system? It may be relevant to talk about a country that colonized or conquered the country you are studying.

Ethiopia has a civil law system. A group of highly complex codes – Civil code, Civil Procedures code, Penal code, Criminal Procedure code, Commercial code, Maritime code - began between 1957 – 1965 within the regime of Emperor Haile Sellaise. Ethiopia is one of the Africa’s states highly influenced by continental European codifications. Before these codes Ethiopia operated with an informal mixture of legislative/executive and customary laws.

2. What are the unique features or characteristics of this country’s system?

The executive branch of Ethiopia legal systems has two people in power. The chief of state is the President and the head of government is the Prime Minister. The President only has ceremonial powers, while the Prime Minister has executive powers. President is indirectly elected by both chambers of parliament and Prime Minister is designated by majority vote following legislative elections. The current President SHALE-WORK Zewde, is the first female elected head of state in Ethiopia and currently the only female president in Africa.

3. Does this country operate under its own legal system as well as a broader one such as that of the European Union? If so, explain.

No, Ethiopia only operates under its civil law legal system.

4. What are some of the unique legal challenges that your country has faced in its history? Consider legal challenges that arise from social problems such as disease, natural disasters, terrorism, civil war, protest movements, etc.

A unique legal challenge that Ethiopia has faced is whether or not their elections are fair and free. In 2005, the police massacred 193 people and prompted more than 60,000 arrest due to protest over the election. Since that date more than 18 journalist, who had written articles critical of the government, has been arrested on charges of genocide or treason. In 2016, 100 peaceful protestors were killed by government gunfire. A lot of protestors were protesting in 2016 for land grabs and basic human rights such as freedom to elect their representatives.