The Transitional Government

The EPRDF, moved into Addis Ababa on 28 May 1991, re-established order in the cities, and disarmed and dispersed the defeated revolutionary army, with the help of the Red Cross.

A national conference on Peace and Democracy was held in July 1991, to which most opposition groups were invited, with the exception of some political organizations based abroad. the conference established an 87-seat Council of Representatives, in which the EPRDF coalition itself held 32 seats. A national charter guaranteeing the establishment of human rights and democracy was adopted to serve as a temporary constitution, and a programme was laid out for regional and national elections.
Elections in June 1992 established councils to manage the affairs of the regional 'states'. The elections were marred by inadequate preparation, intimidation, and boycotts. The EPRDF and its affiliates swept the board.

The adoption of a new Constitution of Ethiopia in December 1994, and elections in 1995 for the national legislature- the Council of People's Representatives-marked the end of the transitional period. Meanwhile, the new Constitution enshrined the right of self-determination for individual peoples, and a series of sweeping proclamations has established new regional boundaries along ethnic lines, and relative autonomy for the regional administrations.

A comprehensive census of population and housing, undertaken in October 1994, has provided much-needed baseline statistics for planning infrastructure and services. The importance of the census for economic planning cannot be overstated.