Background
In May 1991, the PDRE (1987-1991) was overthrown by forces consisting of theTransitional charter
The 1991 conference ultimately resulted in the adoption of the "Transitional Period Charter of Ethiopia" and the official establishment of a transitional government. Much to the relief of the international community, the conference attendees agreed on major transformations of the country's political and economic systems that would usher in liberal institutions that were purportedly intended to guarantee fair representation, encourage plurality, and demand transparency at the executive level.Vaughan, Sarah 1994. ''The Addis Ababa Transitional Conference of July 1991: its origin, history and significance.'' Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Centre for African Studies. This and other key initiatives of the TGE were outlined in the Transitional Period Charter of Ethiopia, which was divided into five parts:Part I: democratic Rights
Explicitly drawing from the United Nations'"a. The freedom of conscience, expression, association, and peaceable assembly; b. The right to engage in unrestricted political activity and to organize political parties, provided the exercise of such right does not infringe upon the rights of others."Article Two concerns the rights of "nations, nationalities, and peoples" in Ethiopia, referring to the various ethnolinguistic groups in the country. Not only does the Charter protect nationalities' right to exercise their autonomy, but it also allows them to secede ("self-determination of independence") if they so wish.
Part II: Principles guiding foreign policy
This section briefly affirms the TGE's authority to "abide by all mutual agreements that respect the sovereignty of Ethiopia and are not contrary to the interests of the People." In addition, it grants subnational governments the right to form their own relationships with foreign organizations if it is for the purpose of humanitarian or relief efforts.Part III: Structure and Composition of the Transitional Government
This section outlines the structure of the Transitional Government, starting with the establishment of a Council of Representatives, which "shall be composed of representatives of national liberation movements, other political organizations and prominent individuals, to make-up a total of no more than 87 members." The Council of Representatives was also responsible for supporting the work of the unelected Council of Ministers, which primarily consisted of members selected by the heads of state (president, prime minister, etc.).Part IV: Transitional programme
Part IV provides a general outline of the remaining actions to be taken during the transitional period. It assigns the Council of Representatives with the responsibility to oversee the creation of a draft constitution that would eventually be presented to the Constituent Assembly before being formally adopted. Article twelve briefly mandates that elections for a National Assembly, must be held within the following two years; the Transitional Government was expected to hand over power to the parties who make up a majority of the Assembly. The second section of Part IV expresses the Transitional Government's commitment to relief efforts supporting those whose lives had been severely impacted by armed conflict, violence on behalf of the previous regime, and to "the rehabilitation of those forceably icuprooted by the previous regime's policy of villagisation and resettlement." Article Seventeen makes an additional reference to the state of inter-ethnic relations in the country"" he Transitional Governmentshall make special efforts to dispel ethnic mistrust and eradicate the ethnic hatred that have been fostered by the previous regimes."
Part V: Legality of the charter
Part V proclaims the Charter's authority as "the supreme law of the land for the duration of the transitional period," effective 22 July 1991.Leadership
The Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) was a coalition of various ethnically-based political movement created by the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF), a guerrilla movement formed in the contemporary Tigray region of northern Ethiopia in 1975. The TPLF was at the core of the EPRDF, although other political movements in the coalition included the Ethiopian People's Democratic Movement (which later became the__Ethnic_federalism_
One_of_the_most_dramatic_political_changes_overseen_by_the_Transitional_Government_was_the_realignment_of_provincial_boundaries_on_the_Ethnic_federalism.html" ;"title=".html" ;"title="lthough the 1991 conference may not have resulted in a one party government lthough_the_1991_conference_may_not_have_resulted_in_a_one_party_government[,its_convention_reflects_to_a_large_degree_a_one_party_dynamic."__Ethnic_federalism_
One_of_the_most_dramatic_political_changes_overseen_by_the_Transitional_Government_was_the_realignment_of_provincial_boundaries_on_the_Ethnic_federalism">basis_of_ethnolinguistic_identity.__Ethnic_federalism_
One_of_the_most_dramatic_political_changes_overseen_by_the_Transitional_Government_was_the_realignment_of_provincial_boundaries_on_the_Ethnic_federalism">basis_of_ethnolinguistic_identity."The_right_of_nations,_nationalities_and_peoples_to_self-determination_is_affirmed._to_this_end,_each_nation,_nationality_and_people_is_guaranteed_the_right_to: a./_Preserve_its_identity_and_have_it_respected,_promote_its_culture_and_history_and_use_and_develop_its_language; b./_Administer_its_own_affairs_within_its_own_defined_territory_and_effectively_participate_in_the_central_government_on_the_basis_of_freedom,_and_fair_and_proper_representation; c./_Exercise_its_right_to_self_determination_of_independence,_when_the_concerned,_nation/nationality_and_people_is_convinced_that_the_above_rights_are_denied,_abridged_or_abrogated."As_such,_one_of_the_TGE's_main_aims_was_to_establish_a_devolution_of_political_power_down_to_ethnic_divisions,_arguing_that_it_was_an_essential_move_if_the_country_wanted_to_lessen_conflicts_across_ethnic_lines,_ensure_a_fairer_distribution_of_resources_across_the_country,_and_increase_efficiency_within_the_public_sector.
__Ethnic_federalism_
One_of_the_most_dramatic_political_changes_overseen_by_the_Transitional_Government_was_the_realignment_of_provincial_boundaries_on_the_Ethnic_federalism">basis_of_ethnolinguistic_identity."The_right_of_nations,_nationalities_and_peoples_to_self-determination_is_affirmed._to_this_end,_each_nation,_nationality_and_people_is_guaranteed_the_right_to: a./_Preserve_its_identity_and_have_it_respected,_promote_its_culture_and_history_and_use_and_develop_its_language; b./_Administer_its_own_affairs_within_its_own_defined_territory_and_effectively_participate_in_the_central_government_on_the_basis_of_freedom,_and_fair_and_proper_representation; c./_Exercise_its_right_to_self_determination_of_independence,_when_the_concerned,_nation/nationality_and_people_is_convinced_that_the_above_rights_are_denied,_abridged_or_abrogated."As_such,_one_of_the_TGE's_main_aims_was_to_establish_a_devolution_of_political_power_down_to_ethnic_divisions,_arguing_that_it_was_an_essential_move_if_the_country_wanted_to_lessen_conflicts_across_ethnic_lines,_ensure_a_fairer_distribution_of_resources_across_the_country,_and_increase_efficiency_within_the_public_sector.
__Ethnic_federalism_
One_of_the_most_dramatic_political_changes_overseen_by_the_Transitional_Government_was_the_realignment_of_provincial_boundaries_on_the_Ethnic_federalism">basis_of_ethnolinguistic_identity."The_right_of_nations,_nationalities_and_peoples_to_self-determination_is_affirmed._to_this_end,_each_nation,_nationality_and_people_is_guaranteed_the_right_to: a./_Preserve_its_identity_and_have_it_respected,_promote_its_culture_and_history_and_use_and_develop_its_language; b./_Administer_its_own_affairs_within_its_own_defined_territory_and_effectively_participate_in_the_central_government_on_the_basis_of_freedom,_and_fair_and_proper_representation; c./_Exercise_its_right_to_self_determination_of_independence,_when_the_concerned,_nation/nationality_and_people_is_convinced_that_the_above_rights_are_denied,_abridged_or_abrogated."As_such,_one_of_the_TGE's_main_aims_was_to_establish_a_devolution_of_political_power_down_to_ethnic_divisions,_arguing_that_it_was_an_essential_move_if_the_country_wanted_to_lessen_conflicts_across_ethnic_lines,_ensure_a_fairer_distribution_of_resources_across_the_country,_and_increase_efficiency_within_the_public_sector.
__Ethnic_federalism_
One_of_the_most_dramatic_political_changes_overseen_by_the_Transitional_Government_was_the_realignment_of_provincial_boundaries_on_the_Ethnic_federalism">basis_of_ethnolinguistic_identity."The_right_of_nations,_nationalities_and_peoples_to_self-determination_is_affirmed._to_this_end,_each_nation,_nationality_and_people_is_guaranteed_the_right_to: a./_Preserve_its_identity_and_have_it_respected,_promote_its_culture_and_history_and_use_and_develop_its_language; b./_Administer_its_own_affairs_within_its_own_defined_territory_and_effectively_participate_in_the_central_government_on_the_basis_of_freedom,_and_fair_and_proper_representation; c./_Exercise_its_right_to_self_determination_of_independence,_when_the_concerned,_nation/nationality_and_people_is_convinced_that_the_above_rights_are_denied,_abridged_or_abrogated."As_such,_one_of_the_TGE's_main_aims_was_to_establish_a_devolution_of_political_power_down_to_ethnic_divisions,_arguing_that_it_was_an_essential_move_if_the_country_wanted_to_lessen_conflicts_across_ethnic_lines,_ensure_a_fairer_distribution_of_resources_across_the_country,_and_increase_efficiency_within_the_public_sector.
__Ethnic_federalism_
One_of_the_most_dramatic_political_changes_overseen_by_the_Transitional_Government_was_the_realignment_of_provincial_boundaries_on_the_Ethnic_federalism">basis_of_ethnolinguistic_identity."The_right_of_nations,_nationalities_and_peoples_to_self-determination_is_affirmed._to_this_end,_each_nation,_nationality_and_people_is_guaranteed_the_right_to: a./_Preserve_its_identity_and_have_it_respected,_promote_its_culture_and_history_and_use_and_develop_its_language; b./_Administer_its_own_affairs_within_its_own_defined_territory_and_effectively_participate_in_the_central_government_on_the_basis_of_freedom,_and_fair_and_proper_representation; c./_Exercise_its_right_to_self_determination_of_independence,_when_the_concerned,_nation/nationality_and_people_is_convinced_that_the_above_rights_are_denied,_abridged_or_abrogated."As_such,_one_of_the_TGE's_main_aims_was_to_establish_a_devolution_of_political_power_down_to_ethnic_divisions,_arguing_that_it_was_an_essential_move_if_the_country_wanted_to_lessen_conflicts_across_ethnic_lines,_ensure_a_fairer_distribution_of_resources_across_the_country,_and_increase_efficiency_within_the_public_sector.
__Ethnic_federalism_
One_of_the_most_dramatic_political_changes_overseen_by_the_Transitional_Government_was_the_realignment_of_provincial_boundaries_on_the_Ethnic_federalism">basis_of_ethnolinguistic_identity."The_right_of_nations,_nationalities_and_peoples_to_self-determination_is_affirmed._to_this_end,_each_nation,_nationality_and_people_is_guaranteed_the_right_to: a./_Preserve_its_identity_and_have_it_respected,_promote_its_culture_and_history_and_use_and_develop_its_language; b./_Administer_its_own_affairs_within_its_own_defined_territory_and_effectively_participate_in_the_central_government_on_the_basis_of_freedom,_and_fair_and_proper_representation; c./_Exercise_its_right_to_self_determination_of_independence,_when_the_concerned,_nation/nationality_and_people_is_convinced_that_the_above_rights_are_denied,_abridged_or_abrogated."As_such,_one_of_the_TGE's_main_aims_was_to_establish_a_devolution_of_political_power_down_to_ethnic_divisions,_arguing_that_it_was_an_essential_move_if_the_country_wanted_to_lessen_conflicts_across_ethnic_lines,_ensure_a_fairer_distribution_of_resources_across_the_country,_and_increase_efficiency_within_the_public_sector.
__Ethnic_federalism_
One_of_the_most_dramatic_political_changes_overseen_by_the_Transitional_Government_was_the_realignment_of_provincial_boundaries_on_the_Ethnic_federalism">basis_of_ethnolinguistic_identity."The_right_of_nations,_nationalities_and_peoples_to_self-determination_is_affirmed._to_this_end,_each_nation,_nationality_and_people_is_guaranteed_the_right_to: a./_Preserve_its_identity_and_have_it_respected,_promote_its_culture_and_history_and_use_and_develop_its_language; b./_Administer_its_own_affairs_within_its_own_defined_territory_and_effectively_participate_in_the_central_government_on_the_basis_of_freedom,_and_fair_and_proper_representation; c./_Exercise_its_right_to_self_determination_of_independence,_when_the_concerned,_nation/nationality_and_people_is_convinced_that_the_above_rights_are_denied,_abridged_or_abrogated."As_such,_one_of_the_TGE's_main_aims_was_to_establish_a_devolution_of_political_power_down_to_ethnic_divisions,_arguing_that_it_was_an_essential_move_if_the_country_wanted_to_lessen_conflicts_across_ethnic_lines,_ensure_a_fairer_distribution_of_resources_across_the_country,_and_increase_efficiency_within_the_public_sector.
__Ethnic_federalism_
One_of_the_most_dramatic_political_changes_overseen_by_the_Transitional_Government_was_the_realignment_of_provincial_boundaries_on_the_Ethnic_federalism">basis_of_ethnolinguistic_identity."The_right_of_nations,_nationalities_and_peoples_to_self-determination_is_affirmed._to_this_end,_each_nation,_nationality_and_people_is_guaranteed_the_right_to: a./_Preserve_its_identity_and_have_it_respected,_promote_its_culture_and_history_and_use_and_develop_its_language; b./_Administer_its_own_affairs_within_its_own_defined_territory_and_effectively_participate_in_the_central_government_on_the_basis_of_freedom,_and_fair_and_proper_representation; c./_Exercise_its_right_to_self_determination_of_independence,_when_the_concerned,_nation/nationality_and_people_is_convinced_that_the_above_rights_are_denied,_abridged_or_abrogated."As_such,_one_of_the_TGE's_main_aims_was_to_establish_a_devolution_of_political_power_down_to_ethnic_divisions,_arguing_that_it_was_an_essential_move_if_the_country_wanted_to_lessen_conflicts_across_ethnic_lines,_ensure_a_fairer_distribution_of_resources_across_the_country,_and_increase_efficiency_within_the_public_sector.
Ethnic federalism
One of the most dramatic political changes overseen by the Transitional Government was the realignment of provincial boundaries on the Ethnic federalism">basis of ethnolinguistic identity. This marked the beginning of Ethiopia's first federal administrative structure, made up of nine Regions of Ethiopia">regional states (singular: ክልል ''kilil; plural: kililoch''). Article Two of the Transitional Period Charter of Ethiopia formally proclaims the rights of ethnic groups within the country, which are officially referred to as nations or nationalities:"The right of nations, nationalities and peoples to self-determination is affirmed. to this end, each nation, nationality and people is guaranteed the right to: a./ Preserve its identity and have it respected, promote its culture and history and use and develop its language; b./ Administer its own affairs within its own defined territory and effectively participate in the central government on the basis of freedom, and fair and proper representation; c./ Exercise its right to self determination of independence, when the concerned, nation/nationality and people is convinced that the above rights are denied, abridged or abrogated."As such, one of the TGE's main aims was to establish a devolution of political power down to ethnic divisions, arguing that it was an essential move if the country wanted to lessen conflicts across ethnic lines, ensure a fairer distribution of resources across the country, and increase efficiency within the public sector. By 1994, the ethnically-based regions of Afar Region">Afar, Tigray, Somali Region">Somali, Amhara Region">Amhara, Benishangul-Gumuz Region">Benishangul-Gumuz Benishangul-Gumuz ( am, ቤንሻንጉል ጉሙዝ, Benšangul Gumuz) is a regional state in northwestern Ethiopia to the border of Sudan. It was previously known as Region 6. The region's capital is Assosa. Following the adoption of the 199 ...
Human rights abuses
Throughout the transitional period, the Transitional Government of Ethiopia was criticized by various human rights organizations for abuses ranging from extrajudicial executions to unlawful detentions. At the establishment of the TGE in 1991, when the EPRDF first took power, human rights organizations such asSee also
*References
{{coord, 9, 1.8, N, 38, 44.4, E, type:country, display=title 20th century in Ethiopia Government of Ethiopia Provisional governments 1991 establishments in Ethiopia 1995 disestablishments in Africa 1990s disestablishments in Ethiopia