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LEGAL SYSTEM OF ETHIOPIA
tax. It is true that most of the substantive primary legislation enacted to date in Ethiopia has been in itiated by the executive, the only exception being the law fixing- the salaries of members of Parliament. But every indication is that Ethiopia's successful approach of a gradual shift from the absolute power of the monarch to a rule of responsibility by the people has been based upon wisdom and maturity. Indeed, His Imperial Majesty will certainly be recorded by history as one of the great figures of the 20th century along with Churchill and Kennedy. In a recent article in Volume II, Number 2 of Jour nal of Ethi<YJ)ian Law (1966), Professor George Krzeczunowicz states : Ethiopia's juristic development presents, in most respects, a striking contrast to the rest of sub-Saharan Africa. Only Ethiopia had its own ancient code of law. Ethiopia alone evolved a unique legal system related to its tradition and to both continental and common law concepts. Also extremely original is the pace of development in, respectively, Ethiopian public and private law. Indeed, while in the constitutional field, Ethiopia can be distinguished from most of Africa by the caution and gradualness with which its political structures evolved from the traditional Ethiopian concepts of government, in the sphere of private law the reverse is true. In another contrast to most of Africa, the recent reform of private law in Ethiopia was sudden and total. The reward for the gradualness in Ethiopian constitutional development has been a political stability unique on this strife-torn continent. It is hoped that the capsule background of the pres ent legal system of Ethiopia presented in this text will expedite the efforts of the researcher interested in the law of this vital and fascinating country of Africa.