Ethiopia

The Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (Amharic ኢትዮጵያ Ityopp'ya) is a country situated in the Horn of Africa. It has one of the most extensive known histories as an independent nation on the continent, or indeed in the world. Unique among African countries, Ethiopia maintained independence during the Scramble for Africa, and continued to do so except for a 5 year period when it was under Italian occupation. Ethiopia was historically called Abyssinia. The name "Ethiopia" is sometimes thought by Westerners to derive from a Greek term meaning "burnt visage", but this etymology is problematic. Ethiopian sources state that the name is derived from a son or grandson of Cush, son of Ham.

Politics

The election of Ethiopia's 547-member constituent assembly was held in June 1994. This assembly adopted the constitution of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia in December 1994. The elections for Ethiopia's first popularly-chosen national parliament and regional legislatures were held in May and June 1995. Most opposition parties chose to boycott these elections, ensuring a landslide victory for the Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF). International and non-governmental observers concluded that opposition parties would have been able to participate had they chosen to do so.

Related Topics:
1995 - Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Government of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia was installed in August 1995. The first President was Negasso Gidada. The EPRDF-led government of Prime Minister Meles Zenawi has promoted a policy of ethnic federalism, devolving significant powers to regional, ethnically-based authorities. Ethiopia today has 9 semi-autonomous administrative regions that have the power to raise and spend their own revenues. Under the present government, Ethiopians enjoy greater political participation and freer debate than ever before in their history, although some fundamental freedoms, including freedom of the press, are, in practice, somewhat circumscribed.

Related Topics:
Negasso Gidada - Meles Zenawi - Freedom of the press

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Zenawi's government was re-elected in 2000 in Ethiopia's first multi-party elections. The incumbent President is Girma Wolde-Giorgis.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Since 1991, Ethiopia has established warm relations with the United States and western Europe and has sought substantial economic aid from Western countries and World Bank. In 2004, the government began a drive to move more than two million people away from the arid highlands of the east, proposing that these resettlements would reduce food shortages http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/in_pictures/3640227.stm.

Related Topics:
1991 - United States - Europe - World Bank - 2004

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Ethiopia held another election in May 2005, though results are still uncertain due to allegations of vote rigging and intimidation on the part of the ruling EPRDF coalition. A group of unarmed university students protested alleged discrepancies and demanded investigation and/or revoting for the election. Security forces killed more than 40 demonstrators and bystanders in Addis Ababa. As of September 1, 2005, the election remains unresolved..

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

See also:Ethiopian general elections, 2005, Foreign relations of Ethiopia

Related Topics:
Ethiopian general elections, 2005 - Foreign relations of Ethiopia

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~