Message from the Chief Ombudsman

His Excellency Chief of the Institution of the Ombudsman Ato Abay Tekle

EIO has a vision where all citizens receive high quality public service from the executive organs of the government in a manner that is accountable, transparent and efficient.

The institution strives to build culture of good governance and rule of law in the country by performing its functions, including the settlement of conflicts through mediation and negotiation of disputes between citizens and governmental organizations. It also initiates reforms through identification of legal and systematic loopholes and recommendation of appropriate improvement measures, control of the administrative process through supervision and detection of maladministration committed by governmental organizations and the like.

To realize the aforementioned activities, EIO should develop effective and efficient communication strategy. The development of this website is one of the means in which EIO disseminate information and messages about good governance in Ethiopia. This will enable the institution to educate and publicize all its activities and to have organized data system, too.

The website would facilitate two-way communications and enables us to build a comprehensive counseling and guidance system in the light of diversifying administrative needs.

Citizens would have one additional communication channel by which they have an opportunity to lodge their complaints through on line complaint form.

EIO's Jurisdiction

The following complaints are within the jurisdiction of the Institution of the Ombudsman

• Compliant concerning decisions made directive enacted measures taken by federal Ministries, Commission, Agencies and Institutions.
• Compliant concerning decisions made directive enacted measures taken by regional executive organs and officials therein
• Compliant concerning decisions made ,directives enacted and measures taken by financial and administrative departments with in the federal as well as regional courts of law ,national defense and security, and federal as well as regional prison centers

The Institution of the Ombudsman has no mandate to oversee the complaints of the following kind

• Cases pending in Federal and Regional state courts of any level
• Complains pertaining to decision given by Federal and Regional Parliament in their legislative capacity
• Complaints pertaining to matters under investigation by the office of the Auditor General
• Complaints regarding decisions given by security forces and units Defense Forces in respect of matters of national security or defence
• Complaints pertaining to non-governmental organizations; religious institutions, private individuals,and foreign sovereign states.

Filing a Complaint

A complaint can be made by writing a letter to the Institution of the Ombudsman or by submitting the complaint here on the Institution's website. A complaint may be made in Amharic or in the workign language of the region. A complaint can be lodged orally or in written form. Besides, a complaint has to include the following:

• Full name and full address of the petitioner
• Full name and address of the respondent
• Original and copy of the power of attorney if the complaint is made on behalf of another
• The conduct or decision the complaint considers unlawful
• Why the complaint considers the conduct or decision unlawful
• Whether the matter is pending before another authority
• What the petitioner wishes the Institution of the Ombudsman to do
• Copies of relevatn decisions and other documents should be attached to the complaint
• Before lodging a complaint to the Institution, the relevant executive organs has to give a final decision on the matter.
• You can download a copy of the complaint submission form here: English (pdf) | Amharic (pdf)