Resurrecting the Tenets of Rule of Law in the Classical Gadaa Democracy in the Ethiopian Federation

Abstract

The objective of this Article is to evaluate whether or not the tenets of rule law in classical Gadaa democracy can be utilized in the present Ethiopian multinational federation. Across the world, rule of law has been recognized as a symbol of good governance; and the antithesis of arbitrary rule in modern democracies. Many constitutions in the present world incorporate the elements of rule of law either directly or indirectly in their contents. The 1995 FDRE Consti-tution has recognized rule of law as a stepping-stone to building a political community to en-sure lasting peace, guaranteeing a democratic order, and advancing economic and social de-velopment. Nevertheless, the elements of rule of law have transplanted from the western de-mocracies in Ethiopia in particular and in Africa in general. But this Article has put its em-phasis on exploring the compatibilities of the tenets of rule of law in the classical Gadaa de-mocracy with the modern principles of rule of law and constitutionalism. Additionally, it has analyzed the extent to which the Gadaa brand of rule of law is consistent with the present multinational federal-based state structure in Ethiopia and beyond. The findings of this Article have pointed out that the principles of rule of law embedded in the classical Gadaa democracy are compatible with the modern principles of rule of law.