STATE STRUCTURE

General Information

Official name – Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia.
Form of government – federal parliamentary republic.
President (2025) – Taye Atseke-Selassie.
State language – Amharic.
Capital – Addis Ababa.

Foundation Period

From the 1st to the 10th cent. AD, the Kingdom of Aksum existed in the north of modern Ethiopia, which adopted Christianity in the 4th cent. After its collapse in the 12th-13th cent., the Christian principalities were united under the rule of the Zagwe dynasty. In 1270, the Solomonic dynasty came to power. In the 18th cent., a period of feudal fragmentation began, known as the "Era of the Princes". In 1855, Emperor Tewodros II united the disparate principalities into a single state. In 1896, under the leadership of Emperor Menelik II, Ethiopia defeated Italy at the Battle of Adwa, preserving its independence. In 1930, Haile Selassie I became emperor. From 1936-1941, the country was occupied by Italy. As a result of the 1974 revolution, the monarchy was overthrown and power passed to the Provisional Military Administrative Council (Derg). In 1987, the People's Democratic Republic of Ethiopia was proclaimed, headed by Mengistu Haile Mariam. In 1991, rebel forces overthrew the government, and the country transitioned to a federal system. Modern statehood is based on the constitution that came into force on August 21, 1995.

Heads of State

Mengistu Haile Mariam – held the position of president from September 9, 1987 to May 21, 1991. Came to power after the overthrow of the monarchy, established a regime of socialist orientation. During his rule, a course towards economic development and granting equal rights to women was initiated.

Tesfaye Gebre Kidan – held the position of president from May 21 to 28, 1991. Served as acting president after the flight of Mengistu Haile Mariam.

Meles Zenawi – held the position of president from May 28, 1991 to August 22, 1995. De facto leader of the transitional government after the fall of the Mengistu regime. Under his leadership, a new constitution was adopted, establishing the federal structure of Ethiopia, and the transition from a socialist economy to a market economy began.

Negasso Gidada – held the position of president from August 22, 1995 to October 8, 2001. Became the first president of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia after the adoption of the new constitution. His tenure saw the strengthening of the new federal system of the state.

Girma Wolde-Giorgis Luka – held the position of president from October 8, 2001 to October 7, 2013. Served two full six-year terms. His presidency was characterized by active economic development of the country and the implementation of major infrastructure projects.

Mulatu Teshome Wirtu – held the position of president from October 7, 2013 to October 25, 2018. Served as president during a period when Ethiopia demonstrated one of the highest economic growth rates in the region, facilitated by reforms and foreign investment.

Sahle-Work Zewde – held the position of president from October 25, 2018 to October 7, 2024. The first female president in the history of Ethiopia. In her activities, she paid significant attention to environmental initiatives on the international stage.

Taye Atseke-Selassie Amde – has held the position of president from October 7, 2024 to the present. Prior to his election as president, he had many years of experience in diplomatic work, serving as Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia. His election is associated with expectations of continuing the policy of reforms and strengthening the country's international position.

Administrative Division

Ethiopia is a federal state and is subdivided into 11 states (regions), formed on an ethno-linguistic principle, and 2 self-governing chartered cities – Addis Ababa and Dire Dawa. The states have broad powers, including the right to secede from the federation, enshrined in the constitution. The states include:

Amhara – admin. center – Bahir Dar
Afar – admin. center – Semera
Benishangul-Gumuz – admin. center – Asosa
Gambela – admin. center – Gambela
South West Ethiopia Peoples' Region – admin. center – Bonga
Central Ethiopia Region – admin. center – Hosaina
Oromia – admin. center – Addis Ababa (Nazret)
Sidama – admin. center – Awasa
Somali – admin. center – Jijiga
Tigray – admin. center – Mekele
Harari – admin. center – Harar