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Government change
The military regime led by Colonel Mengistu Haile Mariam is removed by the Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF), a coalition of rebel forces. A provisional government is set up. -
Creation of Special Prosecutor's Office
The government establishes the Special Prosecutor's Office to investigate human rights abuses and corruption committed during the Mengistu regime. In February 1993, the government restores the right of habeas corpus. -
New constitution adopted
A new constitution is adopted. The constitution establishes a democratic system of government and guarantees individual freedoms. -
Government fires officials
Over 260 officials in the Addis Ababa government are fired on charges of bribery, nepotism, embezzlement and incompetence. -
NGOs sign code of conduct
Over 160 domestic and international NGOs sign a code of conduct establishing standards for various areas including gender equality, ethical integrity, transparency and accountability. The signatories also form a committee to hear and decide matters involving violations of the code. -
12 newspapers shut down by government
The Ministry of Information and Culture shuts down 12 newspapers for failing to maintain the legally required bank balance of 10,000 birr (US$1,250) at the time of their annual license renewal. -
Former PM convicted of embezzlement
Former Prime Minister Tamirat Layne is convicted of embezzlement, corruption and abuse of office and is sentenced to 18 years in prison. -
Cease-fire agreement signed
Ethiopia and Eritrea sign a cease-fire agreement in their two-year border dispute, but violence and tension between the two countries persist, despite UN peacekeeping efforts. -
18 officials arrested
Eighteen prominent government officials and businessmen are arrested on charges of embezzling millions of dollars from the government. -
Four coalition members suspended
Four senior members of the governing coalition from the Oromo region are suspended for alleged corruption, nepotism and abuse of power. -
Opposition leader killed
Opposition politician Abdifetah Mursel Shel is killed by a landmine while campaigning in the parliamentary elections. -
Commission charges five execs for issuing 'illegal loans'
The newly-established Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission charges five current and former senior executives of the state-owned Commercial Bank of Ethiopia with issuing illegal loans. -
Ethiopian Free Press Journalists Association banned
The Ethiopian Free Press Journalists Association, a vocal critic of the government's strict policy toward the media, is banned and later has its entire executive board replaced by the government. The ban is eventually overturned by a court, but the government defies the court's ruling. -
Ethiopia signs UN Convention Against Corruption
Ethiopia signs (but has not yet ratified) the U.N. Convention against Corruption. -
National and regional elections
National and regional elections, boycotted by most opposition groups, result in a landslide victory for the EPRDF. Negasso Gidada becomes president when his predecessor, Meles Zenawi, assumes the post of prime minister in August. -
Zenawi and EPRDF retain power
Prime Minister Meles Zenawi and his EPRDF party retain power in bitterly-contested elections that trigger violent protests in May and November. Allegations of election fraud and government violence against the opposition prompt international donors to suspend or cut back aid to Ethiopia. -
Ethiopian gov. detains thousands of civilians
Ethiopian security forces arrest opposition leaders in response to the public protests. They detain tens of thousands of civilians for up to three months, including journalists and human rights advocates. The U.S. State Department reports, more than 100 members of the Coalition for Unity and Democracy (CUD) remain imprisoned after 2007.