Visit Ethiopian Embassy website for other official documents, including the text of the Constitution.
THE COUNCIL OF CONSTITUTIONAL INQUIRY
The Council, whose powers and functions are defined
in Article 84 of the Constitution have judicial powers whose decisions would be final when
they are confirmed by the House of the Federation. It would also, after examining claims
submitted to it by a court or party to a dispute relating to the contravention of the
Constitution by federal or state laws, submit its findings to the House of the Federation
for a final decision. Provisions in the Constitution, however, require the Council to
follow certain procedures when issues of Constitutional interpretation arise in other
courts. According to the provision, if the Council finds no reason for constitutional
interpretation, it shall remand the case to a competent court. In cases when it finds no
reason for constitutional interpretation, the Council is entitled to decide the case and
submit its decision to the House of the Federation for final determination. However, a
party not satisfied with the order issued by the Council may appeal to the House of the
Federation.
President: KEMAL BEDRI (President of the
Federal Supreme Court); Vice-President: MENBERE TSEHAY TADESSE (Vice-President
of the Federal Supreme Court); Members appointed by the President of the Federal
Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (FDRE): FASIL NAHUM; GETAHUN KASSA; AHMEDIN IBRAHIM;
Ms SINIDU ALEMU; BEYENE BULTI; AMARE AMOGNE; Members appointed by the House of the
Federation: Ms AREGASH ADANE (Tigray Region); YONATAN DEBISSA (Oromia Region);
HASSEN IBRAHIM (Somali Region)
Of course, the judicial branch of government is not independent and not well developed to be important in discussion of constitutional issues. Perhaps, the new 2000 Parlainment could improve this situation.
