f'11.Tr-A- J' A.F.~I\C£ .tl""h~""J'C£ ~T.,.lt.

d..Fu~1A ~;J~+ :JrLlfJ

FEDERAL NEGARIT GAZETA
OF THE FEDERAL DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF ETHIOPIA

10th Year No. 13

hF(.'I1 'JOD+ 4I.,.C If Oh. :"f-A' JI A..J.'..&-"'e.It'l"h&-f\.JI'e &Tl1ft.h ADDIS ABABA-23rd December, 2003
h.tlil hRll-;f"U"IF If .,., Iiif'X CU" f th1fl1 .,.aJt)f- 'f 9'"hC (1.:" ml1cf:~:" faJnl

"7dJ-8j, CONTENTS
"cp)!- cfI.,.Crf(t~/Iiifji '.9'" Proclamation No. 378/2003
fh.T"~.f' 1f.'7~T "cp)!- 'l~ lii.~f~ EthiopianNationalityProclamation .....Page 2505

A"~ "''I'C rfe~/r;lfiil PROCLAMATION NO. 378/2003.

h"A. :"r-li,f' II..,~:,. rID", A"~ A PROCLAMATION ON ETHIOPIAN NATIONALITY

hth1 00'''P'l1: 1:';J1.JP'f ;JC ,.,.nlnlooCj' f.,.OX" WHEREAS, it has become necessary to promulgate a
A.lth r ,~:" th'? CPtfDonl:" Ahd."'l. Ifq" 000111:1 comprehensive new nationality law which is consistent
with the provisions of the Constitution;

Oh. :"f-A' JI A..J.'..&-''e .It'l"h&-f\.JI'e &Tl1ft.h th1- NOW, THEREFORE, in accordance with Article 55 (1)
oo''?P'I:'' A'+~ 2(;/6/ 001P1.:" f°7.h"'''fDo ;1'fDo~A:: of the Constitution of the Federal Democratic Republic of
Ethiopia, it is hereby proctaimed as follows:
h~A A"JI: PART ONE
tMM GENERAL

I A1}"C C"h 1. Short Title

This Proclamation may be cited as the "Ethiopian
.e.U A'P~ "rh. :"f-A-JI II.on:" "'P~ cIr1'C tUtti
Nationality Proclamation No. 378/2003."
lufj~" "'11"" ft.m+h .e.'f"A::
2. Definitions
,. :"C~"'l In this proclamation unless the context requires
f:Jot\- A11111 1\.'1 :"C1-9'" f°7.JI()mfDo t)AIf~ Oh otherwise:
"'+C On.u A'P~ fDoh1-1
6/ "ffDo~ A1C ()fDo" CPt,,:,. fh. :"f-A-JI II.;J JlAIf~
CPt, 'i'/ fDo9'" ()fDo ~fDo1
1/ "foreigner" means a person who is not an
Ethiopian national;
II "00 ~o'i'/ ooq" &JI (1;1''' CPt,,:,. Oh. :"f-A- JI ,fi::"dt
2/ "domicile" 'meansthe.residence of a person as
l1dt.C th., "'+~ 6fitt ''''~~11fDo' :"C~"I defmed under Article 183 of the Civil Code of
f°7.JlOX'l ,,,,1: ()fDo ooq"&JI (1;1' ~fDo1 Ethiopia;

"",IS. CP;J J'.", ~;J&+ ;J1I.1fJ7"."1.41 it it 6

Unit Price Negarit G. P.O.Box 80001
 'bt rll.~n ~"'A. ~;>tT ;>11."1<IITC Ir ;1"U"IP' Ir .,.., !iif:ll 'U. Federal Negarlt Gazeta- No.13 23rd December,2003- Page 2506

rl "IA~" fat,f\tD-:l'1A .,.-'t~~ f.,.Y.t.1 1A~'r 3/ the tenn "child" includes an adopted child;
.eQ;tr &-IA~

!il "f\J1 11f\ OD m , .f"Y.t.(1""7 f\ .}a 0 h. .}ar- A'.f ffi:.}a tit 4/ "minor" means a person who has not attained the age
llth.C £11'1 ODlPt..}a 0~.('~tD- f\J1I1f\ ODm' of majority as detennined under the Civil Code of
.f" Y.t.(a (atD- ~tD- ; Ethiopia;
(;1 "Clf\p'lAnl')" "7f\.}a fY.U,~.}aT fh.r'1lo
71''1 filY..,.V'".f "'~.e Clf\p'lAnl'} ~tD-:: 5/ "Authority" means the Security, Immigration
and Refugee Affairs Authority.
hfi:1A 1J.f\-1-
f h. .}ar-A'.f"J II."7~-1- ilf\"7"71-1- PART TWO
ACQUISITION OF ETHIOPIAN NATIONALITY
r. 0-1-OJ-1A.(' ilf\~ 1~ II."7~T
3. Acquisition by Descent
!if lD"':=': lD.er hlD"':~ J1'~ h.Tr-A'.f'f ftr~
(atD-T 0.}atD-1A.(' f h. .}ar-A'.f II.;J ~tD-T
1/ Any person shall be an Ethiopian national by
descent where both or either of his parent is
II Oh. .}ar-A'.f tD-il-r f.,.11 lD"':~ .f1A;ND<It £11"
Ethiopian.
ftD-6J!> J11C 1I.'1~T .ff\tD- ODtr~ 111A.,.t.;J1m
2/ An infant who is found abandoned in Ethiopia shall,
Ofl.,..,.C hh.Tr-A'.f'f A'y'.,.lDf\Y. "'''-rc- fh.T unless proved to have a foreign nationality, be
r-A'.f II.;J .etr'lIA:: deemed to have been born to an Ethiopian parent and
shall acquire Ethiopian nationality.
i. 0';;'"7 ilf\"t 1~ II."7~.'fa
J1,.(' ftD-6J!> h1C (atD- OIlU J1'1'~ hJ1''''~ (;-11 4. Acquisition By Law
O"'ODf\hi:T .(', ;J1.sP".f ODlPt.T f h. Tr-A' .f' Any foreigner may acquire Ethiopian nationality by law
1I.'1~T ';;''1 i\..f1~ .e".f"IA:: in accordance with the provisions of Articles 5-12 of
this Proclamation.
~. OB~".'fa ilt\"2. 1C1:ftD--~:t'tl
fh.Tr-A'.f 1I."7~T 0d1'1 f\"7"71T fat,.fODf\hT 5. Conditions To Be Fulfilled
ftD-6J!> J11C (atD- fat,h.,.t\-T' "7~"T J1f\OTT A foreigner who applies to acquire Ethiopian nationality
61 Oh. Tr-A'.f ';;''1 ODlPt. T f\J1I1f\ ODm' .f Y.t.(a'l By law shall:
0d1"7 ".ff\o;r .f 1\tD- ODtr' :; 11 have attained the age of majority and be legally
I/OD Y.O~ OD'i ~.ftD-' Oh. Tr-A'.f tD-fl-r ODODflt.TC; capable under the Ethiopian law;
"7ODIAh~tD-' Afll1.,. t.00.}a .,., .(' t.fI Clt\-T . 2/ have established his domicile in Ethiopia and have
J19"flT '}OD;rT tD-fl-r 0.('9"«, fl.f'fI' f\J1&-T lived in Ethiopia for a total of at least four years
'}ou;rT Oh. Tr-A'.f tD-il-r OB'iC; preceding the submission of his application;
rl hJ11~i: llth.C/llth.t.(aIl".f *,*sP".f CI'~ 3/ be able to communicate in anyone of the languages
OD'1f1f1T OD~IA:; of the nations/nationalities of the Country;
!il A&-o-'C; o."'(a().' f\"7f1"'~Y.C fat,.ffl".f1A d1;J'f 4/ have sufficient and lawful source of income to
f1fl r'6J!> .ff\tD- ODtr':; maintain himself and his family;
(;1 ODIAI19" p'~-9""7C1C .ff\tD- ODtr':; 5/ be a person of good character;
'kl OlD'~1A .,.hfl(8 .f1A"''''flJ ODtr':; 6/ have no record of criminal conviction;
'J.I f"'.(''fP 1I."7~i:' f"'lD ODtr~' lD.e9" fh.T 7/ be able to show that he has been released from his
r-A'.f' II."7~T fl.f1~ f.,..(''fP II."7~i:' f\OD"'tD- previous nationality or the possibility of obtaining
fat, ".f1A ODtr~' lD.e9" II.'1~T f f\.f\tD- (atD- such a release upon the acquisition of Ethiopian
ODtr~' "7f1t.~T OD~IA:; AC; nationality or that he is a stateless person; and
tl OIlU J1'1'~ J1''''~ II f"'ODf\h.,.tD-, :l'f\ 8/ be required to take the oath of allegiance stated under
ODdt" OD~~9":: Article 12 of this Proclamation.
I. r :J1l!J= 1J.~;wsP".f
hh. Tr-A'.f II.;J ;JC ffJ'I ;Jll~ .ff\tD- ftD-6J!> J11C
(atD-:; ~ Cases of Marriage
61 ;Jll~tD- Oh. Tr-A'.f £11"7 ODlPt.T f"'~~OD A foreigner who is married to an Ethiopian national may
tD.e9" hh. .'far-A'.f tD-6J!>h.,.Y.t.1 Oll.f' J11C acquire Ethiopian nationality by law if:
£11"7ODlPt.T f"'~~OD htr~:; 11 the marriage is concluded in accordance with the
Ethiopian laws or in accordance with the laws of any
other country where the marriage is contracted;

'-'-'-

1
 I1I..~U U-t.A ~,;J6"" ,;JIL"! 4I'I'C Ie :t"tJ"IP' Ie +'J IilfU OJ.II" Federal Negarit Gazeta- No.13 23"' December,2003- Page 2507
"'"

II ;J1l~ID- h.,..(.1aOO fl.f1f1 IJ.ft:" ~OO:" f"""(1)-

hlf~ ~ 2/ there is a lapse of at least two years since the
.,., 1:t.fI Cl.f1f1 conclusion of the marriage;
-FI "'1oo~h~(I)-1 Aflh""'~OO:"
ft" 11: ~OO:,. OJ\.:"r-)\- .f (l)-fl1' f':" ~ hlf~ ~
3/ he has lived in Ethiopia for at least one year
A"
iil Olf..u"If'~ "''''~ t 1o-fl "''''~ 1f!/T Iii A" preceding the submission of his application; and
l:t/f.,. F.~.,"':"1 1J.~'+9'T fot.f".t" :,.
hlf~ ~ f J\.
f.)\-.f 1t'7~:" flU'7 t\.fIm(l)- .eT"A:: 4/ he fulfilled the conditions stated under Sub-Articles
(1), (7) and (8) of Article 5 of this Proclamation
i. f"'A..(.~ "'~~"T 7. Cases of Adoption
OJ\.:"r-)\-.f 1t;J "'A..(.~ f.,. F.~" "'(1)-~ An child adopted by Ethiopian. national may acquire
61 ftJtl1ft oom1 .f"F.~fI hlf~~ Ethiopian nationality by law if:
II h"'A..(.~ Jt1:&-1. tD,,:(. ;JC OJ\.:"r-)\-.f (l)-fl1' 1/ he has not attained the age of majority;
fOt':"C hlf~~ 21 he lives in Ethiopia together with his adopting parent;
tl h"'A..(.~ tD,,;(=Ji "'.",. f(l)-6f!"Jt.,C "'(1)- htf~ 31 Where one of his adopting parents is a foreigner, such
ft~:(. f J\.:"r-)\-.f It '7~:" A1 A.fIm(l)- f.,.fI"'1"'1 parent has expressed his consent in writing; and
flftootf~ O~m-lj: h.,ft1a~ A" 4/ the condition stated under Article 5(7) of this
Proclamation has been fulfilled.
iil OIf..U "If'~ "''''~ tl'tl f"'F.~""(I)- IJ.~'+
h.,.".t" T f J\.:"r-)\-.f It '7~:" OU'7 t\.fIm(l)-
8. Special Cases
.eT"~::
A foreigner who has made an outstanding c°!ltribution in
~. A" .,.~;t-,.~ the interest of Ethiopia may be conferred with Ethiopian
ftJ\.:"r-)\-.f hlj:"'~ "fI"'If'~" .fO~h'" f(l)-6f!"".,C Nationality by law irrespective of the conditions stated
1'1(1)-OIf..U"If'~ f; 1o-fl "''''~ If I A" It I
f.,.OOfthi::"1 "''''~
IJ.~'+9' T fI.f".t"?" f J\.:"r-)\-.f under Sub-Articles (2) and (3) of Article 5 of this
Proclamation.
It '7~:" OU'7 t\.fIm(l)- .e T"~:: 9. Children of a Naturalized Person
II A person who has acquired Ethiopian Nationality
ii. 0;"'7 It '7~+ fI""'fImID- /'IID-.~ by law may apply for the his minor child living with
f!I fit. :"r-)\- .f It '7~:" 0;" '7 f.,.1'1m (I)- 1'1(1)- him in Ethiopia; provided, however, that where the
OJ\.:"r-)\-.f (l)-fl1' JtllC':" ft°t':"C ft"t,ft oom1 applicant is the only naturalized parent, the consent of
.f"F.~fI ~:(. f J\.:"r-)\-.f It '7~:" A1A.fIm(l)- both parents shall be required for naturalization of the
t\.m.e:" .eT"~:: If':"?" f J\.:"r-)\-.f It '7~:" OU'7 child.
f.,.fIm(l)- hm";(T ft"'F.~(I)- 11~ htf~
21A child whose application for naturalization has been
ft~)fT(I)- f J\.:"r-)\- .f It '7~:" A1 A.1'11' flJ.ft i:?"
submitted in accordance with Sub-Article (l) of this
fI?"9'"~:" .ffl.(.~;J~:: Article shall be conferred with Ethiopian nationa.lity
II OIf..U "''''~ 1o-fl "'+~ 1f!1 001P~:" where the applicant is able to show that the child is
fJ\. :"r-)\-.f It '7~:" A1A.fIm(l)- 1'.fef: f+~Oft:" released from his previous nationality or the possibility
~,-: f +1:"., It '7~i: 1 f"'tD tD.e?" ft00"'(1)- of obtaining such release.
fOt T~ 001f~1 "00~t,=Ji "'1f1~-'5:" h~ft
fJ\. :"r-)\-.f It '7~:" OU'7 .eflmIf'A:: 10. Submission of Application for Naturalization
1/ An application to obtain Ethiopian nationality by law
I. 0;"., 1t'7~+ ft"'1'71:" flftOf.+Cl1 "'1~;t= shall be accompanied with relevant documents
if fJ\.:"r-)\-.f 1t'7~:" 0;"'7 A1A.fI1' fOt+Cl1 and shall be submitted to the Authority.
"'1oo~h~ "'7f11l~:" t,":f(l)- "'1f1~)f9'T ;JC 2/ An application for the naturalization of a minor
"'.f.elf ftqftp>~n,~ 00:"~11 "ftO:"~ child shall be submitted by his parents.
fl.1 f J\.:"r-)\- .f It '7~:" A1A.fI1' f"'mf+(I)- Jtt,ft
OOm1 ""F.~1'1 A~ htf~ "'1ooAh~(I)- OtD,,;(=Ji
11. Examining and Deciding upon an Application
00:"~1l "fto:"::
1/ An application to obtain Ethiopian nationality by law
II "'1OD~h~"} flft"'1"'&-~ fI"ODdJ/'I1 shall be examined by the Nationality Affairs
f!1 fJ\.:"r-)\-.f 1t'7~:" Oih'7 A1A.fI1' f+~O
Committee established under Article 23 of this
"'1oo~h~ OIf..U "If'~ "'+~ ?;r ODIP~:" Proclamation.
0"'**00 flt'7~:" "'-'5.e flot-l; .en'&-A:: 2/ The Committee shall submit its recommendation" to
fl.1 flOt -1;(1)- f+~Oft:"1 "'1ooAh~" "'1f1~)f9'T the Authority, following the examination of the
hoo~oo~" "fI'('''1. tf':" h.,..,"';?" "'QJ."'16 application and documents submitted to it as well as
"'1f1~)f9'T A1A.+Co.ft:" 0"'11:~'7 t,n,&- 0:\" such other additional information furnished on its
ftflftp>~n,~ f(l)-lJ~ ~lJl1 .f+CflA:: demand.
 11\" rlt~f;!; ~"'trA ~;>6T ;>11."1
"''I'C Ie
;t-u..,,,,,, Ie +, liifn; 'U" Federal Negarit Gazeta_- No.13 23'" December,2003- Page 2508

r/ fit. '-"r-*,.f H..,.,.-,. Oih., "'}-'l,"''f' Jlot-l;tD- 31 Where the recommendation of the Committee for
.f+t.0tD- ftD-lJ~ 'ItMJ O'1lip'Anl~ "'+'1.e.,,-,, naturalization obtains the approval of the Authority,
1]11 1tUDAI]:J: OJlOt-l;tD- n'}f: +C(1 Ol1.u' the applicant shall-be required to appear before the
1ttp~ 1t'}+1i If f"'UDlih.,.tD-'} :J>li UDm" Committee to take the oath of allegiance stated
"'}-'l,L1i9" .,. 1.C1u Oih., fit. '-"r-*,.f H..,.,.-,. under Article 12 of this Proclamation and shall be
«?t.:ntiI>J. f9"f)hC OJt.+'-" .e"'mtpA:: issued with a certificate of naturalization.

II f7-"7:S"'-" :J>fi _~lh~ 12. Oath of Allegiance

fit. '-"r-*,.f H..,.,.-,. Oih., fOt"'mtD- «?'}~tD-9" li1tl]li Any person to be conferred with Ethiopian nationality
UDm'} .f 1.t.'" "'tD- foth..,.litD-'} :J>li UDm" UDL1..9" by law shall, if he has attained the age of majority, take
1tliO'-" I the following oath of allegiance:

"" ~ fit. '-"r-*,.f t..J.>..~"1£ " I - - - -, solemnly affll'IIl that I will be a loyal
-'l,qoh~"".f1£ ~T11li.h ;r«?:S H.;J liUDIf'}c; national of the Federal Democratic Republic of
li"1~~ ih1-UD'}.,P''-'' .,.1'" fiUDIf'} :J>A Ethiopia and be faithful to its Constitution".
"1'1fiIJ.: :"
13. National Identity Card
Ir ~Td"_~1tlJU_mL."'-}- 11 Any Ethiopian national, if he has attained the age of
!il «?'}~tD-9" li1tl]l\ UDm' .f1.t.'" fit.'-"r-A-f H.;J majority, shall be issued with a national identity
card.
fH.""'-" OlI;rOJ<#:.f OJt.+'-" .e"'mtpA::
fl li"l]li UDm'} .fAf.t.f'I. A"Jf."f.oOJ"~ UD ;rOJ<#:.f 21 Minor children shall be entered in the national
OJt.+'-" ".e UDUD11111 "li'1:ftD-::
identity cards of their parents.
r/ fH. .,.,.-,. UD ;rOJ<#:.f UDt.+'-" fOt"'mtD- O'1lip'A 31 National identity cards shall be issued by the
nl~ OJ.e9" O'1t\p'Anl~ tD-hAc; O"''''mtD- Authority or by any office delegated by the
UDp'~.f 0.'-" .elfc;A:: Authority.

PART THREE
b§:A..Y'll?t
flI.~~.T_-~...1l1'-.?f RIGHTS OF NATIONALITY
14. State Protection
Ig M~~7-'P. Tn~
!il UD'}.,P''-'' liH.?"f. UD11.f"f.c; ih;J1£ 'f':,.qo"f. 1/ The State shall protect the rights and lawful interests
'f'0:J> .f1.C;JA:: of its nationals.
f/ UD'}.,P''-'' OOJ'6f,1>"1C fOttf.,.. fit.'-"r-*,.f H.?"f. 21 The State shall take such measures as may be
UD11.f "f.c; ih;J1£ 'f':,.qo"f. fOtm04l0'-"'} IJ.~.+ neces~ary to ensure the protection of the rights and
li«?t.;J1'f' fOt.ff) "f.t\- "C9"JffP"f.'} .eOJf)~A:: lawful interests of its nationals residing abroad.

I~. l1A" UD'}"P'...T_-~~-ll~-1lm.T 15. Non-Extradition

oy'}~tD-9" it.'-"r-*'.f H.;J lit\." UD '}<>J
P''-'' . ..,." Ac:.
No Ethiopian national may be extradited to another
"'}-'l,"''f' ".e1.t. "9"::
state.

II. If..,"'-",} ~.L\m.T 16. Change of Nationality

«?'}~tD-9" it.'-"r-*'.fl£ fn.u NP~ "'}CP1\ Ij} f:'}:J1. Any Ethiopian national shall, subject to the provisions
fP"f. "'}1."'m04l of Article 19 of this Proclamation, have the right to
If If H..,.,~'} fUDliOJ'f' UD11'-"
.etft.tpA:: change his nationality.

Ij. If..,.,.-,.'}
17. Non-Deprivation of Nationality
1l~1L§;
«?'} ~ tD-9" it. '-"r-*'.fl£ 011.u "tp ~ '}.,.1\I j} OJ.e9" No Ethiopian may be deprived of his nationality by the
it.'-"r-*'.fl£ "
decision of any government authority unless he loses
tI 0.,.1."11tD- UDlPt.'-" ",<>J"~,} I]"n,
Of).,.+ C his Ethiopian nationality under Article 19 or 20 of this
o«?'}~ tD-9" P' ;rl£
UD'}<>J "I]A tD-lJ~
Proclamation.
If.""~ ".e1Ltj:9"::
18. Equality of Nationals
I~. flI.!LT._~M.T All Ethiopian nationals shall have equal rights and
IJ.t\-9" fit. Tr- *' .f H.? "f. H..,., ;r:ftD- '} .f 11-0'-"
obligations of citizenship regardless of the manner in
IJ.~;r h.,9"'-" tD-f)'f' lJ.e 1'1 "h-A fH. .,.,.-,. UDl1'-"C; .
which nationality is obtained.
"J.>..:r .etf~:ftpA::
 'III' 1Jf.H. IJJ.A t;J,,+ ;JII."I "'PC .rr :1".,.,,.. .rr +, 1",21 't." Federal Negarit Gazeta- No.13 23"' December,2003- Page 2509
M:A. "'~.:). PART FOUR
r A..:).,.. ~ I&.
.,~.:).., (aA.,..,.:). LOSS OF ETHIOPIAN NATIONALITY

r A..:).,... ~ II..,~.:).., laAII8"'""

.
III. 19. Renunciation of Ethiopian Nationality
il ',,-1\ A1C ...an+ ,,1 fD~" A,(amfDo ft'1A II Any Ethiopian who has acquired or has been
'.,.,l1h+ "7'~fDo" A.+V-A-,ce ..."'~i:' guaranteed the acquisition of the nationality of
'OD"'fDo ODl1+ AhfDo~ another state shall have the right to renounce his
II OIlU A'+2t ,0." A'+2t IiI ODIP~+ Ethiopian nationality.
It."'~i:' hOD"'fDo, .r.h1 A.+V-A-,ce I1hp'IAIlJ~ 21 An Ethiopian who intends to renounce his
O"tfD"~fDo:"2t ODIP~+ A"+ t:'I" hl1hp'lAn,~ nationality in accordance with this Article Sub
"7l)fD:" AhO+~ Article (1) shall in advance inform the Authority in
fl hAl]h ODm' '1\~~tI (am- OIlU A'+2t ,0." the form prescribed by the Authority.
A'+2t 161 ODIP~+ It."'~i:' hOD.,.m- '''tThfDo 31 The renunciation of the nationality of a minor child
OfDl\J(:r: ';1~ m-I)~ fD~" hfDl\}(=i: A'}5. pursuant to Sub-Article (1) of this Article shall be
,m-~ A1C (am- hlf~ A.+V-A-,ce Olf~ (1)1\:( effected by the joint decision of his parents or,
m-I)~ ~1f'i1A~ where one of his parents is a foreigner, by the
RI It."'~i:' hOD"'fDo OD.r.h1-' '1)(1)+ A.+V-A-,ceT decision of the Ethiopian parent.
III '''t.r.h1-0+ ilth.~ce "'~;J-"T I]ft. 41 An Ethiopian who has declared his intention to
A~IlIl~ hODfDIlJi:T fD~" renounce his nationality may not be released until:
hi OfD,1:1A a) he has discharged his outstanding national
"'h"'" fD~" .,..r.C?O+ hlf~
obligations; or
hhft. ~, hOD~~1- fD~" ''''fD(a~O+'
:"IlJ+ hOD.r.~oo-~ Od.+ 'It."'~+ b) where he has been accused of or convicted for a
ODIA+t' A~(amm-,.:: crime, he has been acquitted or served the
111 I1hp'IAIlJ~ 'IlU A'+2t penalty .
t:';11."T OD"XI\;J-
=fm-, 1]~;11m 0:\1\ It."'~i: 'Ot!t~.,.o+, .,., 51 The Authority shall, upon ascertaining that the
'''t11A2t 'It."'~+ ODIA"'t, provisions of this Article are complied with,
'9'""hC (I)~"'+ issue the applicant with a.certificate stating the
hl1h1-.rstt ~(am"lA~
II Ollll A''''2t '0." A''''2t 1111ODIP~+ 'It."'~+ effective date of his release.
61 Any Ethiopian who is not issued with a certificate
ODIA+t' '''''hc fD~"'+ ,1A.,.tlmfDo
"7,~m-,. I1h1-.rs~ pIAn" I\hm- ~Ct: 0.+ of release in accordance with Sub-Article (5) of
this Article shall have the right to appeal to the
~"'I1~ '''7:''~iI ODili: ''''mO.,. ~m-::
competent court.
20. Loss of Ethiopian Nationality upon Acquisition
1'. ,A.I\ ""C I&..,~.:).0.,.,1.:). rA..:).".,
I&..,~.:).laAIIIIf.+CO.:).IJ.\.!I- . of Other Nationality
11 Without prejudice to the provisions of Article 19 (4)
61 'IlU A"~ A'+2t 1M IRI t:';11.
A'~"'mO'" of this Proclamation, any Ethiopian who
1ft; "7,~m-9'" A.+V-"',ce O~ ~I\"'+ ,,,-1\
voluntarily acquires another nationality shall be
A1C It...,~+ .1]11 It."'~i:' O~ .r.?t:
deemed to have voluntarily renounced his Ethiopian
A'~"'fD Umt.IAT nationality .
II hfDl\J(:r: A'}5. ,m-~ A1C 1t.;1 OODIf~ (I)~9'" 21. An Ethiopian who acquires another nationality by
Om-~ A1C OODfDh}5.,,,-1\ A1C It."'~+ ,,1
virtue of being born to a parent having a foreign
A.+r-A-,ce OIlU A"~ A''''2t Ililfl ODIP~+ nationality or by being born abroad shall be deemed
A.+V-A-,ce It."'~i:'
A"'" t:'I" A'.\.,.m- to have voluntarily renounced his Ethiopian
1]A."'~~1 O".,..,.C hAl]h ODm' I]~~(a 0:\1\ nationality unless he has declared to the Authority
OA,t: 'tOU+ ",It. m-".,. ',,-1\ A1C It."'~i:' his option to retain it by renouncing his other
+.,. OA.+V-"',ce~i: iI;I= hOD+mlA OD9'"~m-'
nationality within one year after attaining the age of
hqhpA.IlJ~ I]l\l)fD+ It."'~i:' 0.r.?}5. A'~"'(I) majority, or unless there has been an earlier express
~"m~A. T renunciation of his Ethiopian nationality pursuant to
Article 19 (3) of this Proclamation.
fl ~ft. mU 1)~1f' OIlU 31 An Ethiopian who acquires, in the absence of his
A''''2t '0." A''''2t III
h"'ODhh.,.m- m-~ OCV'i=fm-9'" "-1\ 9'"h,,+ own initiative, another nationality by the operation
I\~ "'ODpC'" Oill.., t:';11."T .,..r.JloU+ of the law in connection with any ground other than
''''~I) ,,,-1\ 1;1C It...,~+ ,,1 A.+V-A-,ce T those specified under Sub-Article 121of this Article
shall be deemed to have voluntarily renounced his
Ethiopian nationality, ifhe:
 ~ ril~fI ~6-A ~:>6T :>11."14o...C Ii: :1-tY'tP' II: +, IilfB 'U"
Federal Negarit Gazeta- No.13 23n1 December,2003- Page 2510

a) Starts exercising the rights conferred to such

01 fl110J0 fA'" 111C II.'7~T 00""'" T oom+9" acquired nationality or
hJ!ool. T m~9" b) fails to declare his option to the Authority to
1\1(l111~ ~OOT 1.11. OJon1' Jl110J01 fA'" retain his Ethiopian nationality by renouncing
111C II.-nT T'" (lJ\.Tf"A-JI'e H: ,= his other nationality within a period of one
l\oo+mA OO9"1.m-1 I\fll\P'Afl'~ year.
lJit1)(1)+ II.'7H: 1 (I.c...4>
~ 'H'. +(1) 4/ A person who retains another nationality in addition
" to Ethiopian nationality shall be considered solely
~-'m~A::
gl hJ\. Tf"A-of II.'7H: (I+Q;1."7& ft\.It 111C II.'7~T an Ethiopian national until the loss of his
~fI f+11 "'0J0 (l1l0 111+" 10-n 111+" III Ethiopian nationality pursuant to Sub-Articles (2)
(I)
~9" If I ~1 ;J1.sP"f OOlPl.T f J\.Tf"A-JI 11.'7 or (3) of this Article.
H: +& "nhotlf1 ~l.n fJ\.Tf"A-JI 1I.'7~T
,= "'-'51\0J0 If«:' ~-'m~:: 21. Effects of Loss of Nationality on Spouses and Children

trli. 1I.'7~.}o1 .,IIJ.}o 0+,,(15 (lAX~ 1I.'7~.}o It.e

A person's loss of Ethiopian nationality shall have no
f"tJlhh.}oI\OJo 0J0tD.T effect on the nationalities of his spouse and children.
f J\. Tf"A- JI II.'7~T1 "7fllT (lIlJl "'0J0 fT-'5C :}.(
~c; A1.T II.'7~T It~ fotJlhhTI\OJo OJoIl1.T 22. Re-Admission to Ethiopian Nationality
11~«rC9": : 1/ A person who was an Ethiopian national and who has
acquired foreign nationality by law shall be re-
admitted to Ethiopian nationality ifhe:
trl. r J\. .}of"A-.t II.'7~.}o1 OBA(I hl\'"7'71.}o
lil 11h+ ~'l" J\. Tf"A- JI'e f~(ll.c; (lCh'7 ft\.It 111C
a) returns to domicile in Ethiopia;
II.'7~T Jl11 "'0J0l
b) renounces his foreign nationality; and
01 (1).( J\. Tf"A- JI +OOA'" (lOO9"fl'T OO.((1~
c) applies to the Authority for re-admission.
00«:' &Jl0J01 (lJ\. Tf"A- JI OJon1' hoolPl. +l
1\1 ~flT f~(l1.0J01 ft\.It 111C 1I.'7~T h+(I)l "'I
2/ The provisions of Sub-Article (1) of this Article shall
~I II.'7H: "'''lOBl\hI\T I\fll\P'Afl'~ IJOOI\
also apply to a person who has lost his Ethiopian
h+l fJ\.Tf"A-JI II.'7H:1 OOA'" Jl1~A::
nationality pursuant to Article 20 (2) of this
II fllU 111+" 10-n 111+" llil ~1;J1. (lIlU 11q>~ Proclamation.
111+" trill OOlPl.T fJ\.Tf"A-JI II.'7H:1 111'''' PART FIVE
I\~(ll. "'0J09" +.c..~Ot ~lfc;A::
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
23. Nationality Affairs Committee
h~A 1\9"h:'- 1/ A nationality Affairs Committee comprising the
AIf. AIf. ~1"1.sP~ following members shall be formed:
trf. hl\lI. '7~.}o 1-A.e tJ"t ok a) a representative of the Authority. . . .. chairperson
lil fOth+t\cT1 11f1ltT f JlH fll. '7~T 1--'5.e ttOt i: b) a representative of the Ministry of Foreign
~**"7Al Affairs.. . . . . . . member
01 ffll\P'Afll~ +(I)IJ~ "'''''1)0.. c) a representative of the Ministry of Justice.
1\1 f0J06f.l> 1--'5.e °u.ni:C +(I)IJ~ 11f1A .. .. ... ... .. .. .. .. . . . . . . . . . .. . member
~I fti:TU °t ~ni:C 1'mlJ~ " d) a representativeof the Federal Police
001 fA..~~A 7t\.n ttOt7i1 +(I)IJ~- Commission.. . . . . . member
"
lPl ffll\P'Afl'~ +(I)IJ~ 11f1Ac; fJ~d. e) a representative of the Authority... ... ... ... . ..
II ttot i:0J0 fOth+t\cT P'Afll1c; +'7f1C"T ~«r~ . .. .. .. . .. .. . .. . . .. . .. . .. .. . . .. . ..member and secretary
;J-A T 2/ The Committee shall have the following powers
01 f J\. Tf"A- JI II.'7~T (lCh'7 1\"7'71T fOt +Cf1. and duties to:
"7OOAh,=sPT1 fOOOOCOOCl a) examine applications to obtain Ethiopian
1\1 (lIlU 11q>~ 111+" tr OOlPl."" fJ\.Tf"A-JI Nationality by law;
II.'7H:1 (I.c...4>
~ ",.(+m fot-'mC ftOJo b) examine evidences submitted by a person for the
fOtJl+CflT0J01
+"+ ~~ "7hl.1{sPT fOOOO
rebuttal of his presumed renunciation of
COOCl Ethiopian nationality pursuant to Article 20 of
~I f J\.Tf"A-of II.'7~T1 001\'" 1\"7'71T "700 this Proclamation;
Ah,= +C (Ill U 11q>~ 111+" trl f+ c) ascertain that the requirements stated under
.( ~11-T 1J.'I.;J-sP T OO"XIt ;J-T0J01 f"7l.;J Article 22 of this Proclamation are fulfilled
11':: when an application for re-admission to
Ethiopian nationality has been submitted.
 'lit IJI.HII ~ ~.74I+.,7/L"I"''I'C II: :"'1..,,.. II: +, IIIfB ".r Federal Negarlt Gazeta- No.13 23rd December,2003- Page 2511

1:1 tI"t-tOJo alf.U J;''''~ '0-" J;''''~ III 3/ The committee shall consider any case in accordance
ODIP~+ J;,.r:, e f"t.ffOJo al1"P'An,~ with Sub-Article (2) of the Article when it is
f\ODt-/\+ ~0J0:: te"t-tOJo f~~...a+',.. referred to it by the Authority. The Committee shall
'7=S+'i" fOJola'& Yla "11"P'AnJ~ .f+CI1A: also submit its fmdings and recommendations to the
Authority .
!il te"t-tOJo "P'MD" 11"d.'" ODm' .ef'la"I1AI 4/. The Committee shall meet as frequently as its duties
require.
1;1 hte"t-tOJo J;I1"'+ h'7.,7f a",.e h.,.,1- ,..A'.,. 5/ Thereshallbe a quorumwheremore than half of
1-11,. .elf &-A:
the members of the Committee are present
II fte"t-tOJo fOJola'& Yla a.r:,..~ ""A81
.fA4-AT I1'If,.. .r:,.~ All-A aAIl-A f.,.hd." at a meeting
6/ Any decision of the Committee shall be adopted by
A'~I1'~ lao.OJo .r:,.~ f"'ma+ ID,' Yla....
fte"t -t0J0 Yla I1'If .fA4.A: a majority vote; in case of a tie, the chairperson
shall have a casting vote.
il flf.U J;''''~ .r:';J1.sP"f. A'~"'ma." 11''i
te"t-tOJo f& ' f""""'11 P'~ P'C,+ 7/ Without prejudice to the provisions of this Article,
~,.... the Committee may adopt its own rules of
ft..fIDnJ .e"f."'A::
procedure.
II. ~.,.,.,.. ~, ,.,0J01IJ+ .PIAIIJ"
24. Powers to Issue Regulations and Directives
il .eU' J;"~ a"t'11 """d.1t,. f"t.f"LA'" 1/ The Council of ministers may issue regulations
~'II"f.' f"t\."+C""f.
. ,..hc 0.+ ft..fIDnJ necessary for the proper implementation of this
.e "f.'"A 1
II .eU' J;'P~ a"t 111 ".,"L1t,.. f"t.f"LA'" Proclamation.
1IC1lC ODODI,.fsP"f, 11"P'AnJ~ ft..fIDn, 2/ The Authority may issue detailed directives
necessary for the proper implementation of this
.e"f."'A::
Proclamation.
I~. '+11'£ 6h.,
25. Repeal
fIJif11 fl\.+r-A-.f 1L'7~+ ;"'7 IA'~"'7f7f"1 an.U The Ethiopian Nationality Law of 1930 (as amended) is
J;'P~ .,.7ft::A:: hereby repealed.
II. '#I8"II.:I'~' ~".:I"L 26. Transitory Provisions
.eU J;,,~ A"h1t'i"a+ .,., .r:~" a.,. .r:qoOJoflL., Any person who has retained, until the coming into force
~+ ;"'7 ODIP~+ fl\.+r-A-.f IL;J f~a~ "'~0J0'" of this Proclamation, his Ethiopian nationality pursuant.
"'0J0 fl\.:"r-,...f IL;J A'~I1'~ .e"'''''''A:: to the former Nationality Law shall continue to be an
Ethiopian national.
II. A.X ~.,..n+ ~&
27. Effective Date
.eu J;"~ h;tou"tp' If .,., Iif'I ,.,.. :t!,..C" This Proclamation shall enter into force as of the 23rd
f1t'i" .e11''i''A:: day of December, 2003.

I.",,, t.nq ;to.,.,,., If .,.., IiUI ,.,.. Done at Addis Ababa, this 23rd day of December, 2003.

GIRMA WOLDEGIORGIS
.,C., IIJA,.~r-c~" PRESIDENT OF THE FEDERAL DEMOCRATIC
, l\.:"r-,.., ~".&-"'~ ..."'hMl.'~ REPUBLIC OF ETHIOPIA
I,TofIft.h T ~ ,+