Chapter IV
THE MINISTERS OF THE EMPIRE
ARTICAL 66
The Emperor has the right to select, appoint and dismiss the Prime Minister and all
other Ministers and give Ministers, each of whom shall, before entering upon his
functions, take before the Emperor, the following oath of fidelity to the Emperor and
to the Constitution:
"In the name of the Almighty, I hereby swear allegiance and fidelity to my Sovereign,
His Imperial Majesty Haile Sellassie I and that, as member of the Council of
Ministers, I will faithfully place above all else the interest and welfare of Ethiopia and
of its Sovereign; that I will, at all times, faithfully respect the Constitution and laws of
the Empire, and that I will disclose no secret or confidential infomation revealed to
me in connection with my official duties and position. So help me God."
The appointment, promotion, transfer, suspension, retirement, dismissal and
discipline of all Government officials and employeees shall be governed by
regulations made by the Council of Ministers and approved and proclaimed by the
Emperor.
ARTICAL 67
Princes eligible for the Crown shall not be appointed Ministers in the Council of
Ministers. No one whose parents were not Ethiopian subjects at the time of his birth
shall be appointed a Minister.
ARTICAL 68
Each Minister shall be individually responsible to the Emperor and to the State for
the discharge of the duties of his respective Ministry, including the execution of the
laws and decrees concerning that Ministry.
ARTICAL 69
The Ministers shall form collectively the Council of Ministers and shall be responsible
to the Emperor for all advice and recommendations given to Him in Council. The
rules of procedure of the Council shall be drawn up by the Ministers in Council and
submitted to the Emperor for approval.
ARTICAL 70
The Emperor may, in such instances as He deems appropriate, convene the Crown
Council, which shall consist of the Archbishop, such Princes, Ministers, and
Dignitaries as may be designated by Him, and the President of the Senate. The Crown
Council shall be presided over by the Emperor or by a member disgnated by Him.
ARTICAL 71
The Ministers shall discuss in Council and, through the Prime Minister, submit to the
Emperor all matters of policy therein discussed. In all cases in which legislation is
deemed to be necessary or appropriate, the dicisions made in Council and approved
by the Emperor shall be communicated by the Prime Minister to Parliament in the
form of proposals for legislation.
ARTICAL 72
The Prime Minister shall present to Parliament proposals of legislation made by the
Council of Ministers and approved by the Emperor. He shall also present to The
Emperor the proposals of legislation approved by the Parliament and the dcrees
proposed by the Council of Ministers. He shall have the right to attend any meeting of
either Chamber of Parliament, or any joint meeting of the Chambers, or any meeting
of any committee of either Chamber, and to speak at such meetings on any question
under discussion. He shall be obliged to attend personally, or by his deputy, either
Chamber, when his presence is requested by a majority vote of the members thereof
and to answer, verbally or in writing, questions concerning his office.
ARTICAL 73
The Ministers shall have the right to attend any meeting of either Chamber of
Parliament, or any joint meeting of the Chambers, or any meeting of any committee of
either Chamber, and to speak at such meetings on any question concerning conduct
of their Ministries; and they shall be obliged, in person, or by their deputies, to
answer, verbally or in writing questions concerning the legislation to be entered.
ARTICAL 74
No Minister, nor any person in a position with or in the service of the Government
may:
(a) for remuneration, compensation or benefit of financial value engage in any
activity or accept a position in or with any enterprise or organization in which there
is no governmental participation;
(b) enter into or be party to any contract or other arrangement with any
governmental organization in the Empire awarding, permitting or recognizing any
concession or monopolistic or other exclusive privilege in the nature of a concession
or monopoly.
(c) However, such Minister or person shall be free to manage and develop his
properties so long as their management or development is not prejudicial to or
inconsistent with the performance of his duties.
ARTICAL 75
The Ministers, including the Prime Minister, may be tried only before the Supreme
Imperial Court upon charges of offences as determined by the law, committed in
connection with their official functions. Such prosecution may be initiated either by
order of the Emperor or by a majority vote of both Houses of Parliament. A special
prosecution shall be appointed to that end, conformably to the order of the Emperor.
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