CONSTITUTION OF THE FEDERAL DEMOCRATIC
REPUBLIC OF ETHIOPIA
PREAMBLE
We, the Nations, Nationalities and Peoples of Ethiopia:
Strongly committed, in full and free exercise of our right to self-determination, to
building a political community founded on the rule of law and capable of ensuring a
lasting peace, guaranteeing a democratic order, and advancing our economic and
social development;
Firmly convinced that the fulfillment of this objective requires full respect of
individual and people’s fundamental freedoms and rights, to live together on the basis
of equality and without any sexual, religious or cultural discrimination;
Further convinced that by continuing to live with our rich and proud cultural legacies
in territories we have long inhabited, have, through continuous interaction on various
levels and forms of life, built up common interest and have also contributed to the
emergence of a common outlook;
Fully cognizant that our common destiny can best be served by rectifying historically
unjust relationships and by further promoting our shared interests;
Convinced that to live as one economic community is necessary in order to create
sustainable and mutually supportive conditions for ensuring respect for our rights and
freedoms and for the collective promotion of our interests;
Determined to consolidate, as a lasting legacy, the peace and the prospect of a
democratic order which our struggles and sacrifices have brought about;
Have therefore adopted, on 8 December 1994 this constitution through representatives
we have duly elected for this purpose as an instrument that binds us in a mutual
commitment to fulfil the objectives and the principles set forth above.