WHEREAS, the Government and the Peoples of Ethiopia recognize that corruption and impropriety are capable of hindering the Social, Economic and Political development of any country;

WHEREAS, corruption and impropriety are to be checked in order to promote and sustain the development and the democratic process in Ethiopia;

WHEREAS, it has become necessary to create a society which shall not condone but rather prepared to effectively combat corruption and impropriety;

WHEREAS, it has been deemed necessary to establish an independent government body capable of investigating and prosecuting checking and pr~venting corruption and other imporprieties as well as fighting corruption and impropriety through the promotion of ethical values in the society;

NOW, THEREFORE, in accordance with Article 55 (1) of the Constitution of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, it is hereby proclaimed as follows: