Ethiopia's National Dialogue considers dual-executive system and Addis Ababa's status
via The Reporter Ethiopia2 min read
Ethiopia's National Dialogue forum in Addis Ababa is exploring a semi-presidential or dual-executive government structure as an alternative to the current parliamentary system. The National Dialogue Commission has gathered 4,000 participants to discuss potential changes to the country's governance, including constitutional amendments. Participants are divided into eight groups, each focusing on specific agenda items identified over the past four years. Issues achieving over 75 percent consensus are slated for adoption. Discussions during the first week centered on governance, with experts proposing presidential and semi-presidential models. In a presidential system, the public directly or indirectly elects the president as head of state and executive, with distinct legislative and presidential powers. A semi-presidential system would share executive power between the Prime Minister and the president, with the cabinet accountable to both. The forum also addressed the status of Addis Ababa and Dire Dawa, with four options presented for Addis Ababa: sovereign city-state status, integration into the federal government, reorganization as a sovereign regional state, or administration under the Oromia Regional State. NDC chief Mesfin Araya Prof. briefed the media on the progress and assured participants of protection against potential backlash for their positions.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by The Reporter Ethiopia.
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