ABSTRACT
The culmination of the Ethiopian revolution was the creation of the People's Democratic Republic of Ethiopia. Much hard work had gone into it before its declaration in September 1987. Initially an Institute for the Study of Nationalities, under the guidance and supervision of the Department of Nationality Affairs of the Workers' Party of Ethiopia, whose primary function was to draft a constitution, was established. The Institute made a socio-cultural survey of the entire country, as well as acquainting itself with constitutional developments in socialist and some developing countries. Then it drafted a constitution which was tailored to meet the requirements of a socialist state. The Institute's draft was an instrument designed to make the status quo lawful and formalise the establishment of a unitary state with certain of its powers devolved to its administrative subdivisions. A federal republic was not considered as an alternative form of government at the drafting stage. The draft that served as a working document for the Constitution Drafting Commission was for the creation of a unitary state. A constitution drafting commission was established by Proclamation No. 291, 1986 with the power to draft a constitution, to conduct a public discussion on it, to promote public awareness and
to invite suggestions from the public that would enrich the final draft. The commission comprised 347 members, who were drawn from the WPE, appropriate state organs, mass organisations, professional associations, the heads of the major religions and individuals renowned for their professional and/or patriotic services to the nation.
