The legal regime of corruption in Ethiopia: an assessment from international law perspective

Abstract

Corruption is a universal problem which compromises people’s quest for development, peace, democracy, and human rights though its degree of severity varies. Due to its universality, there was global campaign against corruption and has resulted in an international regime of law. Law is one of the strategies of combating corruption; however, there are other strategies which should be implemented to contain corruption. Nonetheless, the article focuses on the legal measures for the fight against corruption by excluding other measures. It explores the strategies provided by the United Nations and African Union anticorruption conventions with a view to evaluate the Ethiopian legal regime on corruption. Especially, it critically examines to what extent the legal regime of corruption in Ethiopia incorporate the measures provided by these conventions; to what extent the existing laws/institutions are adequate to prevent and combat corruption effectively; and the measures which should be taken. The article argues that the fight against corruption in Ethiopia is limited both in scope and design. It is suggested that revisiting the legal regime and incorporation of internationally accepted strategies are necessary to enhance the national fight against corruption.

Key Words: Corruption, Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission, Ethiopia