Addis Ababa (AMECO) – A new justice museum archiving centuries of traditional, religious, and modern legal history has opened in northern Ethiopia’s Amhara region, aiming to address long-standing gaps in judicial record-keeping and support evidence-based legal reform.
The museum, established by the Amhara Region Supreme Court in the regional capital of Bahir Dar, was officially inaugurated in the presence of the region’s chief administrator, Arega Kebede. Integrating both digital databases and physical exhibits, the facility brings together previously scattered legal documents detailing the evolution of Ethiopia’s judicial system.
Speaking at the launch, Alemante Agdew, President of the Amhara Region Supreme Court, said the museum was created to systematically archive historical justice practices ranging from ancient customary and religious dispute resolution to modern statutory frameworks.
To build the collection, a regional committee was formed to locate and assemble rare records from across the country that were not previously available in a single public repository.
“The purpose of the museum is to serve as a research foundation for legal reforms and institutional procedures,” Alemante said, adding that the repository is designed to assist researchers, students, and policymakers in formulating future legal strategies while preserving judicial history for upcoming generations.
The initiative has drawn praise from academic institutions. Dr Mengesha Ayene, President of Bahir Dar University, highlighted the facility’s immediate practical value for legal education, noting that law students will now have a centralised resource to access historical records and case precedents.
“Leaders build institutions, and institutions build a nation. The museum organised by the Supreme Court stands as a clear demonstration of this,” Ayene said.
The museum’s collection includes early founding legislation for judicial bodies, historical court rulings from various eras, archival photographs, administrative records, and ceremonial judicial attire.
