This led to factionalisation of the country and a long civil war. Ethiopia consists of more than sixty ethnic groups. The Transitional Council or Parliament is composed of more than thirty political parties most of which are ethnic-based. The country is divided into fourteen ethnic-based regions, with local autonomy and police forces. A new national constitution is being prepared and elections originally scheduled for January 1994 have again been postponed.
Ethnic conflicts abound.
Living conditions are poor, wages are low and unemployment is high. As a result prostitution is a serious problem as is the large number of street children. Although respect for human rights is guaranteed by the Transitional Government Charter, abuse of human rights is common. Police torture of suspects in custody and refusal to grant permits for rallies are reported to be some of the human rights problems faced in Ethiopia. The independence of the judiciary is questioned.