CHAPTER FOUR#
THE MINISTERS OF THE EMPIRE#
ARTICLE 66#
The Emperor has the right to select, appoint and dismiss the Prime Minister and all other Ministers and Vice Ministers each of whom shall, before entering upon his functions, take before the Emperor the following oath of fidelity to Hi Majesty and the Constitution: “In the name of the Almighty I hereby swear allegiance and fidelity to my Sovereign His Imperial Majesty … and that, as member of the Council of Ministers, I will faithfully place above all else the interests and welfare of Ethiopia and of its Sovereign; that I will, at all times, faithfully respect the laws and Constitution of the Empire, and that I will disclose no secret of confidential information 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 other Government officials and employees shall be governed by regulations made by the Council of Ministers and approved and proclaimed by the Emperor.
ARTICLE 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.
ARTICLE 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 laws and decrees concerning that Ministry.
ARTICLE 69#
The Ministers shall form collectively the Council of Ministers and shall be responsible to the Emperor for all advice and recommendations given Him in Council. The rules of procedure of the Council shall be drawn up by the Ministers in Council and submitted to His Majesty for approval.
ARTICLE 70#
The Emperor may in such instances as He deems appropriate, convene the Crown Council which shall consist of the Patriarch, 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 designated by Him.
ARTICLE 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 decisions made in Council and approved by the Emperor shall be communicated by the Prime Minister to Parliament in the form of proposals for legislation.
ARTICLE 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 Parliament and the decrees 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 majority vote of the members thereof and to answer verbally or in writing questions concerning his office
ARTICLE 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 the 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 enacted.
ARTICLE 74#
No Minister, nor any person in a position with or in 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 a 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.
ARTICLE 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 prosecutor shall be appointed to that and conformably to the orders of the Emperor.