Challenges to Rule of Law in Contemporary Ethiopia: Oromia in Focus

Abstract

The term rule of law is much cherished historic idea. World Justice Project (WJP), a global Rule of Law Index that quantitatively measure adherence to rule of law practice in the world, shows persistently declining trend around the world. Among countries where rule of law sharply declined is Ethiopia.  It is therefore, worth to inquiry challenges to rule of law in the country which initiated the author to do this work. In this article, the author tried to look at the status of rule of law in Ethiopia focusing on cases involving opposition political figure in Oromia. In doing that, different court cases and orders given on cases relating to opposition political figures are examined. Secondary sources, such as different human right institution’s report were main sources. Critical look at different provisions of laws and courts reasoning is other sources used in this paper. Doctrinal and qualitative research methodology therefore employed while conducting this paper. The finding claims majority of court orders given on opposition political figures cases have been disregarded by the police endangering principles of rule of law. Courts also failed to exercise their functional power to ensure court order executed. If it is to genuinely uphold rule of law which government usually headlines, court’s order should be respected irrespective of who the person is or political ideology s/he holds. It is because, obligation to uphold rule of law demands respect for function of each branch of government. Courts need to go further to ensure rule of law is upheld than simply calling and asking why they failed to execute court order; while Caffee has to intervene when executives fail to implement judiciary order to ensure existence of check and balance as per constitutional order.

Keywords: Contemporary Politics, Court Orders, Rule of Law, Violations of Rights

DOI: 10.7176/RHSS/13-9-02

Publication date:May 31^st 2023