Ethnic Federalism in a Dominant Party State: The Ethiopian Experience 1991-2000 Lovise Aalen r 2002: 2

Article 48
State Border Changes
1. All State border disputes shall be settled by agreement of the concerned States. Where
the concerned States fail to reach agreement, the House of the Federation shall decide
such disputes on the basis of settlement patterns and the wishes of the peoples
concerned.
2. The House of Federation shall, within a period of two years, render a final decision on
a dispute submitted to it pursuant to sub-Article 1 of this Article.
Article 49
Capital City
1. Addis Ababa shall be the capital city of the Federal State.
2. The residents of Addis Ababa shall have a full measure of self-government. Particulars
shall be determined by law.
3. The Administration of Addis Ababa shall be responsible to the Federal Government.
4. Residents of Addis Ababa shall in accordance with the provisions of this Constitution,
be represented in the House of Peoples’ Representatives.
5. The Special interest of the State of Oromia in Addis Ababa, regarding the provision of
social services or the utilization of natural resources and other similar matters, as well
as joint administrative matters arising from the location of Addis Ababa within the
State of Oromia, shall be respected. Particulars shall be determined by law.
CHAPTER FIVE
THE STRUCTURE AND DIVISION OF POWERS
Article 50
Structure of the Organs of State
1. The Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia comprises the Federal Government and
the State members.
2. The Federal Government and the States shall have legislative, executive and judicial
powers.
3. The House of Peoples’ Representatives is the highest authority of the Federal
Government. The House is responsible to the people. The State Council is the highest
organ of State authority. It is responsible to the People of the State.
4. State government shall be established at State and other administrative levels that they
find necessary. Adequate power shall be granted to the lowest units of government to
enable the People to participate directly in the administration of such units.

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5. The State Council has the power of legislation on matters falling under State
jurisdiction. Consistent with the provisions of this Constitution, the Council has
power to draft, adopt and amend the state constitution.
6. The State administration constitutes the highest organ of executive power.
7. State judicial power is vested in its courts.
8. Federal and State powers are defined by this Constitution. The States shall respect the
powers of the Federal Government. The Federal Government shall likewise respect the
powers of the States.
9. The Federal Government may, when necessary, delegate to the States powers and
functions granted to it by Article 51 of this Constitution.