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Government of Ethiopia

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This article is about the current government of Ethiopia. For the government of the Ethiopian Empire, see Government of the Ethiopian Empire. For the Derg, see Government of the Derg.
Politics of Ethiopia
  • Constitution
  • Presidency
Executive
Legislature
Judiciary
Elections
Administrative divisions
Foreign relations
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Federal government of Ethiopia
Emblem of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia since 1995
Formation21 August 1995 (1995-08-21)
CountryEthiopia
WebsiteOfficial website
Legislative branch
LegislatureFederal Parliamentary Assembly
Speaker
Meeting placeAddis Ababa
Executive branch
Prime MinisterAbiy Ahmed
Main bodyCouncil of Ministers
PresidentTaye Atske Selassie
Appointed byHouse of People's Representatives
HeadquartersNiger Street, Arat Kilo, Addis Ababa
9°01′52″N 38°45′50″E / 9.0311°N 38.7639°E / 9.0311; 38.7639
Judicial branch
CourtFederal Supreme Court
SeatAddis 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

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Main article: History of the federal government of Ethiopia

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

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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

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Main article: Judiciary of Ethiopia

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

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Main office-holders
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

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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.

The Context of Public Management System Development in Ethiopia

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The public management system in Ethiopia has undergone significant transformations throughout historical, cultural, and pollical contexts. all elements spontaneously impacted on the way public sector management has been structured and reformed in different periods of Ethiopian history.

Historical Context

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The history of Ethiopia has played a pivotal role in shaping the country’s public management system. This evolution can be divided into three major periods:

The Monarchy Era (Haile Selassie) (1930–1974)

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During this period, Ethiopia was ruled by the Emperor Haile Selassie. He introduced several initiatives to modernize the country's public management system, such as:

  • Enacting Ethiopia’s first constitution in 1931 (later revised in 1955).[11]
  • Establishing ministries, defining responsibilities, and delegating administrative authority.
  • Support the creation of the Organisation of African Unity (now the African Union), which strengthened Ethiopia’s presence in international diplomacy.[12]
  • Founding the Imperial Institute of Public Administration (IIPA), later renamed the Central Personnel Agency (CPA) in 1961, which functioned as the central authority for setting and maintaining public service standards, overseeing job classifications, recruitment, and salary regulations for government employees.[13]

The 1931 Constitution and its 1955 revision were the most significant factors shaping Ethiopia’s public management system during this period. These constitutions formally established the separation of powers into three branches: legislative, executive, and judicial. Additionally, a bicameral legislature was introduced, consisting of the Chamber of Deputies (Lower House), whose members were indirectly elected by the people, and the Senate (Upper House), whose members were appointed by the emperor.[14]

However, the constitution concentrated most executive power in the hands of the emperor, limiting the operation and independence of the public management system. As a result, Ethiopia’s governance functioned as a Centralized Autocracy, where the emperor retained key powers, including the appointment and dismissal of government officials and members of the national legislature, as well as the authority to draft, veto, and amend legislation, even after parliamentary approval. Additionally, he exercised control over the military, judiciary, and land distribution and held the power to appoint and approve high-ranking Christian religious leaders.[13][14]

The public management system during this period faced several significant shortcomings, including:

  • The direct adoption of foreign administrative structures without proper adaptation to Ethiopia’s unique context, which had local governance needs and autonomy demands of indigenous groups, resulting in a system that failed to address the country’s actual requirements. For example, the constitution was modeled after Japan and the UK, both monarchy regimes[15], and the civil servant salary system was based on the U.S. model.
  • Decision-making was slow and bureaucratic, with all major policies requiring the emperor’s approval. This was particularly evident in the failure of land reform policies and the government's inability to effectively address severe famines and droughts.[16]
  • A patronage system and widespread corruption, resulting from the emperor’s authoritative power over appointments and dismissals in government positions. This led to personnel selection based on loyalty rather than merit[17], causing a shortage of competent officials in the public sector.
  • The citizen’s dissatisfaction and political opposition, which ultimately led to the suppression and violation by the government.[18]

The Derg Regime (1974–1991)

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Initially, the Derg regime adopted a socialist approach to national development, aiming to establish equality in access to resources and public services. Throughout its rule, the government implemented several mechanisms reflecting socialist principles in public sector management, including:

  • The adoption of the National Democratic Revolution policy (NDR) in early 1976, aimed at abolishing feudalism and imperialism embedded in the public sector system under Haile Selassie.[19]
  • The nationalization and redistribution of all land and properties to establish a socialist-based economic structure, alongside the introduction of a collectivized agricultural system.[20]
  • The restructuring of administrative divisions, creating 25 administrative regions and five autonomous regions.
  • The establishment of peasant and urban-dweller associations (kebeles), functioning as local-level administrative organizations responsible for governance and service delivery.[21][13]
  • The reform of financial and fiscal institutions, including the introduction of labor laws to regulate employment conditions.
  • The expansion of the government workforce, increasing the number of state employees to approximately 200,000, double the size of the civil service under the previous regime, to accommodate the demands of the newly structured administration.[13]

A key factor shaping the public management system during the Derg regime was Mengistu Haile Mariam’s adoption of Marxist-Leninist ideology in 1976 and his complete consolidation of power in 1977.[22] This shift led to a governance system dominated by military rule, with no parliamentary structure or electoral processes. Although administrative decentralization was introduced through Kebeles, in practice, these local organizations lacked real authority as they remained strictly controlled by the central military government.

As a result, the Derg regime functioned as a Centralized Military Autocracy, with socialist ideology serving as a facade. Even when Mengistu introduced the 1987 Constitution to create the appearance of a civilian government, this further entrenched his monopoly on power. A clear example of this was the establishment of a unicameral legislature (National Shengo)[23], where all members were elected exclusively through the Workers' Party of Ethiopia (WPE)—the sole legal party under Mengistu’s rule.

The public management system under the Derg regime resulted in several significant consequences, including:

  • Inefficiency in administration: Despite expanding the number of government employees, the regime failed to realign ministerial functions with its new governance approach. Additionally, state operations were frequently disrupted by central government interference, leading to a shortage of competent employees, much like during the Haile Selassie era.
  • Delays and failures in problem-solving: The collectivized agricultural system reduced productivity and contributed to severe famines.[24] Furthermore, land and resources were unequally distributed, exacerbating poverty among ethnic groups[25].
  • Lack of governance and public participation: Lack of check and balance system[26]. The government ignored citizen needs and inclusion, such as enforcing Amharic as the sole official language, despite Ethiopia’s linguistic and ethnic diversity[27]. It also restructured regional borders based on religion rather than ethnicity, and engaged in widespread political repression and mass killings of dissidents.

The Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) Era (1991–2019)

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The EPRDF era marked a significant shift in Ethiopia’s public management system, moving away from the centralized military autocracy of the Derg towards a federal decentralized system. Following the overthrow of the Derg in 1991, the EPRDF-led transitional government implemented sweeping reforms aimed at restructuring governance, redefining the role of the state, and promoting ethnic federalism.

The EPRDF introduced several key reforms that shaped Ethiopia’s governance structure:

  • Adoption of the 1995 Constitution, which restructured Ethiopia into an ethnic federalist state, granting regional governments autonomy over legislative, administrative, and fiscal affairs.[28][29]
  • Decentralization of governance, allowing regional states to establish their own constitutions and manage public services, taxation, and development projects.[30]
  • The expansion of the civil service sector, improving public sector management and increasing the workforce to accommodate the demands of a more decentralized system.
  • Liberalization of the economy, shifting away from full state control by encouraging foreign investment and privatization while maintaining strong state intervention in key industries.[31]

Despite the structural changes, public management under the EPRDF faced major obstacles:

  • Weak institutional capacity at the regional level, as newly formed states lacked experienced personnel and administrative expertise.
  • Political centralization within the EPRDF, where decision-making was still heavily influenced by the ruling coalition, limiting true autonomy of regional governments.
  • Ethnic-based federalism fueling conflict, as territorial disputes and identity politics often led to inter-ethnic tensions and governance challenges.[32][33]
  • Suppression of opposition and civil liberties, as the government increasingly restricted political freedoms and dissent, particularly after the 2005 contested elections.[34]

While the EPRDF’s decentralization reforms improved regional governance and economic growth, the system also exacerbated political fragmentation and instability. By the late 2010s, public dissatisfaction over governance inefficiencies, ethnic tensions, and political repression led to increasing calls for reform. In 2019, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed dissolved the EPRDF, transitioning Ethiopia into a new era of governance under the Prosperity Party, marking another turning point in Ethiopia’s public management evolution.

Cultural Context

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culture have shaped Ethiopia’s public management system over time:

  1. Religion – Christianity has had a profound influence on governance.[35] Under Haile Selassie, the emperor’s power was sanctified by the church, as he held the authority to approve religious leaders. This granted his rule divine legitimacy, limiting public scrutiny and strengthening his autocratic control.[13] Similarly, during the Derg era, administrative divisions were drawn along religious boundaries rather than ethnic lines, leading to unequal resource allocation favoring Christian communities.
  2. Collectivism – Ethiopia’s collectivist culture[36], rooted in its ethnic diversity, has fostered an emphasis on coexistence and mutual respect. This cultural trait deeply influenced governance models, particularly ethnic federalism under the EPRDF, which aimed to institutionalize local autonomy and reflect the value of collective identity.
  3. Hierarchical society – Ethiopian society places strong importance on hierarchy and interpersonal relationships, reinforcing respect for leaders and discouraging direct confrontation with authority.[37] This cultural trait often strengthened political elites, making it difficult to challenge leadership structures or introduce governance reforms that conflicted with existing power dynamics.

Political Context

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Political factors have significantly shaped Ethiopia’s public management system, often influencing governance structures, policy decisions, and administrative priorities. Two major political forces that shaped Ethiopia’s governance are foreign influence and war-driven governance strategies.

  1. Foreign Influence and Relations – Ethiopia’s public management system has been heavily influenced by external political and ideological forces, often leading to governance structures that struggled to fit the country’s unique context. During Haile Selassie regime, Great Britain influenced the regime to implement political and economic policies in order to get benefits back.[18] During the Derg era, the regime aligned with the Soviet Union, receiving military aid, economic assistance, and ideological guidance. As a result, Ethiopia adopted Marxist-Leninist policies, including centralized economic planning and one-party rule, which reinforced bureaucratic inefficiencies and state-controlled governance. The global trend of modernization encouraged Ethiopia to develop its public management system by adopting models from various countries, such as structuring its constitution after Japan and the UK[11], or designing public administration structures based on the U.S. system. However, these externally influenced models often failed to align with Ethiopia’s socio-political realities, creating persistent challenges in implementing effective governance.
  2. War and Internal Conflicts – Prolonged wars and internal conflicts have significantly shaped Ethiopia’s governance and resource allocation. Throughout various regimes, wars have distorted government priorities, forcing leaders to divert resources toward military expenditure rather than national development. Under the Derg regime, conflicts such as the Ogaden War (1977–1978) with Somalia and multiple internal insurgencies intensified military centralization, as the government prioritized national security over administrative efficiency.[22] Similarly, under the EPRDF, ethnic-based conflicts and border disputes led to governance fragmentation, where the central government oscillated between decentralization efforts and reasserting federal authority to maintain control. These conflicts have consistently reinforced military influence in public administration, often reducing civilian oversight and weakening institutional governance.

Summary: The Integrative Results of the Contextual Factors on Ethiopia’s Public Sector Management

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The historical, cultural, and political contexts have collectively shaped Ethiopia’s public management system, influencing its governance structures, administrative efficiency, and policy decisions. From imperial centralization to military rule and ethnic federalism, Ethiopia’s public sector evolved in response to external influences, internal conflicts, and socio-political dynamics, demonstrating how these factors continuously interacted to define the country’s governance framework.

Managing Internal Administrative Systems

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Context

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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) [38] 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 [39]
  • Decentralisation - allocating administrative responsibilities from federal government to regional and local government – connecting locally with communities to provide public services[40]
  • 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.[41]

Public Sector and Services working within the current Ethiopian Governance Structure

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Ethiopia’s public sector comprises of government institutions and organisations that manage public resources, implement policies and provide public services to those who need them. The system is organised based on the country’s federal system which includes federal, regional and local levels of government.[42]

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.[43]

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. [44]

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.[45]

Civil Servants

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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.[46] [47] [48][49]

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

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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.

Managing Ethics and Integrity

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Introduction

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Ethiopia is a nation with a profound and ancient history, which shapes its approach to ethics and integrity. The country has never been colonised, fighting off two attempts by Italy to invade the nation[50] which has led to the country’s diverse cultural fabric becoming deeply rooted. Ethiopia’s customs, religious practices, and ethnic identities present both opportunities and challenges in fostering ethical governance and conduct within the public sector. Understanding the role of culture and tradition, the institutional framework, and the ongoing challenges is essential in assessing Ethiopia’s progress toward strengthening ethical practices and integrity.

The role of culture and tradition on ethics and integrity

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Ethiopia's culture emphasises collectivism, where community welfare often takes precedence over individual interests. This collective orientation fosters cooperation, mutual aid, and a shared sense of responsibility, reinforcing ethical decision-making in both personal and professional spheres[51] [52] Communal values encourage ethical behaviour, emphasising collective problem-solving and prioritising community well-being. However, this strong sense of loyalty can also lead to nepotism and favouritism, where familial or ethnic ties influence decision-making, sometimes at the expense of broader institutional ethical standards. Such tendencies create tensions between traditional loyalty and the expectations of modern governance systems.

Oral traditions play a significant role in shaping ethics in Ethiopia. Storytelling serves as a primary method for passing down moral lessons across generations, with elders playing a key role in educating younger members about fairness, respect, and community responsibility[53]. While effective in preserving cultural values, oral traditions can sometimes lead to informal and subjective approaches to ethical issues, particularly in formal institutional settings.

Religious and customary beliefs also play a crucial role in Ethiopia’s ethical framework. With a population practicing diverse faiths, including Christianity, Islam, and indigenous religions, values such as honesty, accountability, and reconciliation are deeply embedded in society[54] [55]. However, an overemphasis on reconciliation and forgiveness may result in subjective decision-making, particularly in community-based justice systems. For example, victims may face societal pressure to forgive offenders, even in cases of severe wrongdoing. This may lead to further harm being committed and to victims of offences being reluctant to report wrongdoing in the future[56]. Additionally, religious and customary laws sometimes conflict with state laws, leading to inconsistencies in their application and in outcomes.

Ethiopia’s ethnic diversity adds another layer of complexity to its ethical landscape. With over 80 ethnic groups, perspectives on trust, reciprocity, and justice vary significantly. These differences can foster both unity and division, particularly within Ethiopia’s decentralised governance structures[57]. While these variations may lead to disputes over resource allocation or political representation, they also offer opportunities for ethical enrichment by promoting respect for elders, communal responsibility, and integrity as foundational values.

Ethiopia’s Institutional Framework for Ethics and Integrity

Ethiopia has established several institutions to promote ethics, prevent corruption, and enforce accountability. The Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (FEACC), created in 2001, is the primary body responsible for addressing corruption. Its mandate includes overseeing asset disclosures by public officials, conducting public education campaigns, and investigating misconduct in the public sector. Despite its critical role, the FEACC faces significant challenges, including limited independence, resource constraints, and political interference[58] [59]. In a 2021 speech, Deputy Commissioner Wedo Atto highlighted these persistent issues and emphasised the need for international cooperation in combating corruption[60].

Ethiopia’s judiciary plays a crucial role in upholding ethics by enforcing anti-corruption laws. Key legislation includes the Ethiopian Penal Code, which addresses corruption and abuse of power, and the Freedom of Mass Media and Access to Information Proclamation, which promotes transparency. There is also the Proclamation to Provide for the Protection of Witnesses and Whistleblowers of Criminal offences (Proclamation 699/2010). This law establishes a framework for safeguarding individuals who report criminal activities[61].

Other public institutions contribute to promoting ethics, including the Office of the Federal Auditor General which audits public finances, the Civil Service Commission who oversees ethical conduct within government institutions and the Parliamentary Oversight Committees who monitor government activities to prevent and reduce misconduct.

Challenges in Upholding Ethics and Integrity

Ethiopia faces numerous challenges in maintaining ethics and integrity due to systemic corruption, limited institutional frameworks, and ongoing political and social conflicts. The civil war, particularly in the Tigray region, has severely impacted governance and ethical standards, eroding trust in state institutions. The breakdown of rule of law exacerbates ethnic tensions and polarises communities, undermining efforts to promote ethical governance. Reports also highlight mismanagement of aid and welfare relief during conflicts, exposing accountability gaps[62] [63] [64]

A significant issue is the lack of comprehensive ethics training for public officials. While some institutions provide ethics education, there is a need for standardised and continuous training programs focused on integrity, transparency, and accountability. Without such efforts, ethical lapses may persist, further weakening institutional trust[65].

Corruption is particularly problematic in public procurement. Irregular payments, favouritism, and non-transparent bidding processes undermine accountability. Contracts are often awarded without due diligence, allowing corruption to flourish[66][67]. Stricter enforcement of anti-corruption laws and increased transparency in public administration are necessary to address these issues.

Although the judiciary is constitutionally independent, political influence weakens its impartiality. Interference in judicial appointments diminishes public confidence in the judiciary’s ability to fairly adjudicate corruption cases[68]. Similarly, the Freedom of Mass Media and Access to Information Proclamation, intended to promote transparency, suffers from weak enforcement. Delayed or incomplete public information releases hinder accountability efforts, highlighting the need for stronger implementation of transparency laws.

Decentralisation in Ethiopia, intended to promote local autonomy, has sometimes resulted in inconsistent ethical standards across regions. Some local governments struggle with oversight and accountability, enabling corruption and favouritism at the regional level[69]. Strengthening governance mechanisms and standardising ethical policies across administrative levels are crucial for improving national integrity.

Conclusion

The relationship between culture, tradition, and ethics in Ethiopia presents both opportunities and challenges. While collective values, oral traditions, and religious principles provide a strong ethical foundation, issues such as nepotism, ethnic divisions, and informal decision-making continue to pose challenges for upholding and maintaining standards within the Ethiopian public service. Ethiopia’s institutional framework, including the FEACC and judiciary, provides mechanisms for fostering integrity, but political interference, resource limitations, and weak enforcement remain significant obstacles.

Addressing these issues requires strengthening institutions, enforcing anti-corruption measures, and promoting a culture of transparency and accountability. Enhancing ethics education, improving public sector training, and ensuring robust oversight mechanisms can help reinforce ethical standards and integrity within Ethiopia’s governance system.

References

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