CHAPTER ONE

The Ethiopian Empire and the Succession to the Throne

Article 1

The territory of Ethiopia, in its entirety, is, from one end to the other, subject to the government of His Majesty the Emperor. All the natives of Ethiopia, subjects of the empire, form together the Ethiopian Empire.

Article 2

The imperial government assures the union of the territory, of the nation and of the law of Ethiopia.

Article 3

The law determines that the imperial dignity shall remain perpetually attached to the line of His Majesty Haile Selassie I, descendant of King Sahle Selassie, whose line descends without interruption from the dynasty of Menelik I, son of King Solomon of Jerusalem and the Queen of Ethiopia, known as the Queen of Sheba.

Article 4

The throne and the crown of the empire shall be transmitted to the descendants of the Emperor pursuant to the law of the imperial house.

Article 5

By virtue of his imperial blood, as well as by the anointing which he has received, the person of the Emperor is sacred, his dignity is inviolable and his power indisputable. He is consequently entitled to all the honors due to him in accordance with tradition and the present Constitution. The law decrees that anyone so bold as to seek to injure His Majesty the Emperor will be punished.