‘Justice System Reform Programme’ in Ethiopia: Is Rule of Law Lost in Translation?

Abstract

The post-Colonial period marked a new paradigm of triangular discourse among law, justice and development in the international playing field between global north and south. Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), aid and development assistance are considered as the fundamental vehicles used to transport these international operations. The assumption is that strong legal and judicial institutions, and effective rule of law, including respect for property rights and access to justice, are important cornerstones of sustainable economic and social development. In fact, the recent couple of decades have seen international practitioners and legal theorists considering effective rule of law as the fundamental prerequisite for sustainable development and as a solution to the world’s troubles.