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{{COI|date=September 2019}}

{{short description|Deputy Chief Justice/Vice President of the Federal Supreme Court of Ethiopia}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2019}}
{{Infobox person
{{Infobox person
| name = Solomon Areda Waktolla
| name = Solomon Areda Waktolla
| native_name = ሰለሞን አረዳ ዋቅቶላ
| native_name = ሰለሞን አረዳ ዋቅቶላ
| image = [[File:Deputy Chief Justice Solomon Areda Waktolla taking the oath of Office.jpg|thumb|Deputy Chief Justice Solomon Areda Waktolla taking the oath of Office]]
| image = Deputy Chief Justice Solomon Areda Waktolla taking the oath of Office.jpg
| caption = Deputy Chief Justice Solomon Areda Waktolla taking the oath of office
| caption =
| birth_date = {{birth-date and age|April 29, 1975}}
| birth_date = {{birth-date and age|April 29, 1975}}
| birth_place = [[Gerba Guracha|Garba Guracha]], Salalee, [[Ethiopia]]
| birth_place = [[Gerba Guracha|Garba Guracha]], Salalee, [[Ethiopia]]
Line 16: Line 17:
He was born and raised in [[Gerba Guracha|Garba Guracha]],Salalee North Shewa zone of Oromia Regional State.
He was born and raised in [[Gerba Guracha|Garba Guracha]],Salalee North Shewa zone of Oromia Regional State.
Deputy Chief Justice Waktolla, served in the Ethiopian Judiciary mainly as a judge for 17 years on different levels of the court in both regional and federal positions. In addition, Deputy Chief Justice Waktolla, has been appointed to the membership of the [[Permanent Court of Arbitration]] (PCA) at the Hague, Netherlands for a six-year term to serve as an Arbitrator.<ref>{{Cite web | url = https://pca-cpa.org/en/about/structure/members-of-the-court/ | title = Members of the Court | website = [[Permanent Court of Arbitration]] | via = pca-cpa.org | access-date = 26 August 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160827181430/https://pca-cpa.org/en/about/structure/members-of-the-court/ | archive-date = August 27, 2016 | url-status = live }}</ref>
Deputy Chief Justice Waktolla, served in the Ethiopian Judiciary mainly as a judge for 17 years on different levels of the court in both regional and federal positions. In addition, Deputy Chief Justice Waktolla, has been appointed to the membership of the [[Permanent Court of Arbitration]] (PCA) at the Hague, Netherlands for a six-year term to serve as an Arbitrator.<ref>{{Cite web | url = https://pca-cpa.org/en/about/structure/members-of-the-court/ | title = Members of the Court | website = [[Permanent Court of Arbitration]] | via = pca-cpa.org | access-date = 26 August 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160827181430/https://pca-cpa.org/en/about/structure/members-of-the-court/ | archive-date = August 27, 2016 | url-status = live }}</ref>
<gallery[[File:Harvard University Kennedy School of Government Graduation- Solomon Areda Waktolla.jpg|thumb|Harvard University Kennedy School of Government Graduation- Solomon Areda Waktolla]]
[[File:Harvard University Kennedy School of Government Graduation- Solomon Areda Waktolla.jpg|thumb|Harvard University Kennedy School of Government Graduation- Solomon Areda Waktolla]]
</gallery[[File:Harvard Law School Graduation-Solomon Areda Waktolla.jpg|thumb|Harvard Law School Graduation-Solomon Areda Waktolla]]
[[File:Harvard Law School Graduation-Solomon Areda Waktolla.jpg|thumb|Harvard Law School Graduation-Solomon Areda Waktolla]]


==Early life and Education==
==Early life and Education==
{{Peacock|section|date=September 2019}}

Solomon Areda Waktolla was born on April 29, 1975 from his father Areda Waktolla Hordofa and his mother Kibbi Bedhane Molu, in the town of [[Gerba Guracha|Garba Guracha]], Salalee, North Shewa zone of [[Oromia]] regional state in Ethiopia. He grew up in an extended family with twelve of his sisters and brothers. His hardworking parents contributed a meaningful role in supporting, guiding and shaping the person he is today. Being raised in a devoted [[Orthodox Christian]] household, Waktolla was influenced by the Christian faith and values. In addition, growing up in an extraordinary rich cultural traditions of the [[Oromo people|Oromo]] society that values inclusiveness and kindness, gave Waktolla a different outlook of life. From an early age, Waktolla stood out as the smartest kid in the class. He was a gifted student and regularly received first grade honors from school. He attended his elementary and high school education in a public school in the town of Garba Guracha. He then attended [[Addis Ababa University]] and obtained a bachelor's degree in Law in 1997. In addition, he holds a [[Master of law]] (LLM) from [[Harvard Law School]] and Master of public Administration (MPA) from [[Harvard Kennedy School of Government]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://alumni.harvard.edu/community/clubs-sigs/clubs-directory#club_98681|title=Harvard Clubs|website=Harvard Alumni|access-date=August 26, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190819022051/https://alumni.harvard.edu/community/clubs-sigs/clubs-directory#club_98681|archive-date=August 19, 2019| url-status = live }}</ref> At [[Harvard Kennedy School of Government]], Waktolla completed the fellowship of Edward S. Mason Program in [[public Policy]] and [[Management]].<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://www.linkedin.com/in/solomon-areda-waktolla-1a047918/|title=Linkedin}}</ref> He also completed an LLM in International Economic Law at the [[University of Amsterdam]].<ref name=WF>{{cite web |title=The way forward project |url=http://www.law.harvard.edu/faculty/bartholet/The%20Way%20Forward%20Project%20Report.pdf |access-date=August 15, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160326144332/http://www.law.harvard.edu/faculty/bartholet/The%20Way%20Forward%20Project%20Report.pdf |archive-date=March 26, 2016 | url-status = live }}</ref> He obtained HIID Merit Scholarship award from [[Harvard University]]. He is a member of the Harvard Alumni Association and currently serving as [[Harvard University]] Contact Person in Ethiopia.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://africa.harvard.edu/alumni-shared-interest-groups|title=Alumni & Shared Interest Groups|website=africa.harvard.edu|access-date=August 15, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190815211706/https://africa.harvard.edu/alumni-shared-interest-groups|archive-date=August 15, 2019| url-status = live }}</ref>
Solomon Areda Waktolla was born on April 29, 1975 from his father Areda Waktolla Hordofa and his mother Kibbi Bedhane Molu, in the town of [[Gerba Guracha|Garba Guracha]], Salalee, North Shewa zone of [[Oromia]] regional state in Ethiopia. He grew up in an extended family with twelve of his sisters and brothers. His hardworking parents contributed a meaningful role in supporting, guiding and shaping the person he is today. Being raised in a devoted [[Orthodox Christian]] household, Waktolla was influenced by the Christian faith and values. In addition, growing up in an extraordinary rich cultural traditions of the [[Oromo people|Oromo]] society that values inclusiveness and kindness, gave Waktolla a different outlook of life. From an early age, Waktolla stood out as the smartest kid in the class. He was a gifted student and regularly received first grade honors from school. He attended his elementary and high school education in a public school in the town of Garba Guracha. He then attended [[Addis Ababa University]] and obtained a bachelor's degree in Law in 1997. In addition, he holds a [[Master of law]] (LLM) from [[Harvard Law School]] and Master of public Administration (MPA) from [[Harvard Kennedy School of Government]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://alumni.harvard.edu/community/clubs-sigs/clubs-directory#club_98681|title=Harvard Clubs|website=Harvard Alumni|access-date=August 26, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190819022051/https://alumni.harvard.edu/community/clubs-sigs/clubs-directory#club_98681|archive-date=August 19, 2019| url-status = live }}</ref> At [[Harvard Kennedy School of Government]], Waktolla completed the fellowship of Edward S. Mason Program in [[public Policy]] and [[Management]].<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://www.linkedin.com/in/solomon-areda-waktolla-1a047918/|title=Linkedin}}</ref> He also completed an LLM in International Economic Law at the [[University of Amsterdam]].<ref name=WF>{{cite web |title=The way forward project |url=http://www.law.harvard.edu/faculty/bartholet/The%20Way%20Forward%20Project%20Report.pdf |access-date=August 15, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160326144332/http://www.law.harvard.edu/faculty/bartholet/The%20Way%20Forward%20Project%20Report.pdf |archive-date=March 26, 2016 | url-status = live }}</ref> He obtained HIID Merit Scholarship award from [[Harvard University]]. He is a member of the Harvard Alumni Association and currently serving as [[Harvard University]] Contact Person in Ethiopia.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://africa.harvard.edu/alumni-shared-interest-groups|title=Alumni & Shared Interest Groups|website=africa.harvard.edu|access-date=August 15, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190815211706/https://africa.harvard.edu/alumni-shared-interest-groups|archive-date=August 15, 2019| url-status = live }}</ref>


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==Private legal practice ==
==Private legal practice ==
{{BLP sources|date=September 2019}}

In December 2014, Waktolla entered the private legal practice and established his own firm named Solomon Areda Law Office in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Solomon Areda Law office offered a diversified expertise on various areas of the law; ranging from dealing in complex litigation and arbitration, corporate and commercial transactions, banking and finance, labor and employment, intellectual property, energy and infrastructure, mining and natural resources, construction law and Tax law. Waktolla's duties mainly include commercial litigation; advising clients on international commercial arbitrations; providing legal opinions on various aspects of commercial law; advising clients on matters relating to investment and regulatory compliance by foreign companies operating in Ethiopia; providing legal advice on matters relating to the regulatory framework of the financial sector in Ethiopia; conducting appropriate due diligence works and advising clients on investment projects relating to Mining and natural resources, Energy, infrastructure and public private partnerships.<ref>{{cite news |title=ወ/ሮ መአዛ አሸናፊ የመጀመርያዋ ሴት የጠቅላይ ፍርድ ቤት ፕሬዚዳንት ሆኑ |url=https://www.ethiopianreporter.com/index.php/article/13724 |publisher=ሪፖርተር ጋዜጣ}}</ref> He advised international law firms referring work into Ethiopia as well as global multi-nationals seeking to do business in Ethiopia and other African Countries<ref>{{cite web |title=Ethiopia appoints first woman Supreme Court president |url=http://leadershipmagazine.org/?p=16877 |website=Leadership for Christian Leaders}}</ref> by employing innovative and pragmatic strategies. Within a short period, Solomon Areda Law Office became one of Ethiopia's leading corporate law firms handling; commercial litigation, international commercial arbitrations and many other legal transactions in investment and regulatory compliance serving both local and international clients. Waktolla represented very giant local and international companies on multi-million commercial disputes before Federal Courts and Arbitration Tribunals.<ref name=a1/>
In December 2014, Waktolla entered the private legal practice and established his own firm named Solomon Areda Law Office in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Solomon Areda Law office offered a diversified expertise on various areas of the law; ranging from dealing in complex litigation and arbitration, corporate and commercial transactions, banking and finance, labor and employment, intellectual property, energy and infrastructure, mining and natural resources, construction law and Tax law. Waktolla's duties mainly include commercial litigation; advising clients on international commercial arbitrations; providing legal opinions on various aspects of commercial law; advising clients on matters relating to investment and regulatory compliance by foreign companies operating in Ethiopia; providing legal advice on matters relating to the regulatory framework of the financial sector in Ethiopia; conducting appropriate due diligence works and advising clients on investment projects relating to Mining and natural resources, Energy, infrastructure and public private partnerships.<ref>{{cite news |title=ወ/ሮ መአዛ አሸናፊ የመጀመርያዋ ሴት የጠቅላይ ፍርድ ቤት ፕሬዚዳንት ሆኑ |url=https://www.ethiopianreporter.com/index.php/article/13724 |publisher=ሪፖርተር ጋዜጣ}}</ref> He advised international law firms referring work into Ethiopia as well as global multi-nationals seeking to do business in Ethiopia and other African Countries<ref>{{cite web |title=Ethiopia appoints first woman Supreme Court president |url=http://leadershipmagazine.org/?p=16877 |website=Leadership for Christian Leaders}}</ref> by employing innovative and pragmatic strategies. Within a short period, Solomon Areda Law Office became one of Ethiopia's leading corporate law firms handling; commercial litigation, international commercial arbitrations and many other legal transactions in investment and regulatory compliance serving both local and international clients. Waktolla represented very giant local and international companies on multi-million commercial disputes before Federal Courts and Arbitration Tribunals.<ref name=a1/>
==Membership of the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA)==
==Membership of the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA)==
<gallery[[File:Deputy Chief Justice Solomon Areda Waktolla- Permanent Court of Arbitration , Peace Palace , Hague.jpg|thumb|Deputy Chief Justice Solomon Areda Waktolla- Permanent Court of Arbitration , Peace Palace , Hague]]
[[File:Deputy Chief Justice Solomon Areda Waktolla- Permanent Court of Arbitration , Peace Palace , Hague.jpg|thumb|Deputy Chief Justice Solomon Areda Waktolla- Permanent Court of Arbitration , Peace Palace , Hague]]


Deputy Chief Justice Waktolla was appointed to the membership of the [[Permanent Court of Arbitration]] (PCA) for a term of six years as of December 2017 to serve as an arbitrator.<ref>{{Cite web | title = Members of the Permanent Court of Arbitration | url = https://pca-cpa.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2017/07/Current-List-of-Members-of-the-Court-20190606.pdf | website = pcs-cpa.org | publisher = Permanent Court of Arbitration | date = 6 June 2019 | access-date = 26 August 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190815223116/https://pca-cpa.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2017/07/Current-List-of-Members-of-the-Court-20190606.pdf | archive-date = August 15, 2019 | url-status = live }}</ref> The PCA was the first permanent intergovernmental organization to provide a forum for the resolution of international disputes through arbitration and other peaceful means. The PCA is established by the Convention for the Pacific Settlement of International Disputes, concluded at the [[Hague]] 1899 during the first [[Hague Peace Conference]] to facilitate arbitration and other forms of dispute resolution between states.<ref>{{Cite web |title=About Permanent Court of Arbitration |url=https://pca-cpa.org/en/about/ |website=pcs-cpa.org |publisher=Permanent Court of Arbitration |access-date=26 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190424070617/https://pca-cpa.org/en/about/ |archive-date=April 24, 2019 | url-status = live }}</ref>
Deputy Chief Justice Waktolla was appointed to the membership of the [[Permanent Court of Arbitration]] (PCA) for a term of six years as of December 2017 to serve as an arbitrator.<ref>{{Cite web | title = Members of the Permanent Court of Arbitration | url = https://pca-cpa.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2017/07/Current-List-of-Members-of-the-Court-20190606.pdf | website = pcs-cpa.org | publisher = Permanent Court of Arbitration | date = 6 June 2019 | access-date = 26 August 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190815223116/https://pca-cpa.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2017/07/Current-List-of-Members-of-the-Court-20190606.pdf | archive-date = August 15, 2019 | url-status = live }}</ref> The PCA was the first permanent intergovernmental organization to provide a forum for the resolution of international disputes through arbitration and other peaceful means. The PCA is established by the Convention for the Pacific Settlement of International Disputes, concluded at the [[Hague]] 1899 during the first [[Hague Peace Conference]] to facilitate arbitration and other forms of dispute resolution between states.<ref>{{Cite web |title=About Permanent Court of Arbitration |url=https://pca-cpa.org/en/about/ |website=pcs-cpa.org |publisher=Permanent Court of Arbitration |access-date=26 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190424070617/https://pca-cpa.org/en/about/ |archive-date=April 24, 2019 | url-status = live }}</ref>
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On November 1, 2018, Prime Minister [[Abiy Ahmed]] announced the nomination of [[Meaza Ashenafi]] and Solomon Areda Waktolla to the Chief justice and Deputy Chief Justice position of the federal supreme court of Ethiopia respectively in a live, nationwide television broadcast from the [[Ethiopian Parliament]]. The House of People's Representatives (HPR) approved the appointment of Meaza Ashenafi and Solomon Areda Waktolla as Chief Justice and Deputy Chief Justice of the Federal Supreme Court respectively<ref>{{Cite news | title = Women Power | url = https://www.capitalethiopia.com/featured/women-power/ | newspaper = [[Capital (Ethiopia)|Capital]] | date = 5 November 2018 | access-date = 26 August 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190815223122/https://www.capitalethiopia.com/featured/women-power/ | archive-date = August 15, 2019 | url-status = live }}</ref> by a unanimous vote. Some of the parliamentarians who spoke during the nomination have also praised the Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed for his picks based on meritocracy.<ref name=a1/>
On November 1, 2018, Prime Minister [[Abiy Ahmed]] announced the nomination of [[Meaza Ashenafi]] and Solomon Areda Waktolla to the Chief justice and Deputy Chief Justice position of the federal supreme court of Ethiopia respectively in a live, nationwide television broadcast from the [[Ethiopian Parliament]]. The House of People's Representatives (HPR) approved the appointment of Meaza Ashenafi and Solomon Areda Waktolla as Chief Justice and Deputy Chief Justice of the Federal Supreme Court respectively<ref>{{Cite news | title = Women Power | url = https://www.capitalethiopia.com/featured/women-power/ | newspaper = [[Capital (Ethiopia)|Capital]] | date = 5 November 2018 | access-date = 26 August 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190815223122/https://www.capitalethiopia.com/featured/women-power/ | archive-date = August 15, 2019 | url-status = live }}</ref> by a unanimous vote. Some of the parliamentarians who spoke during the nomination have also praised the Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed for his picks based on meritocracy.<ref name=a1/>
Deputy Chief Justice Waktolla, serving alongside newly appointed Chief Justice [[Meaza Ashenafi]], is engaged with reforming and modernizing the Ethiopian Judiciary since coming into office.<ref>{{Cite news | url = https://www.ena.et/en/?p=4027 | title = Restoring Public's Trust on Justice System will be Priority: New Supreme Court President | work = [[Ethiopian News Agency]] | location = Addis Ababa | date = October 1, 2018 | access-date = August 22, 2019}}</ref> He is also presiding over one of the cassation benches of the Federal Supreme court.<ref>{{cite news |title=Justices Overrule Dividend Tax Imposed on Total Ethiopia |url=https://addisfortune.com/justices-overrule-dividend-tax-imposed-on-total-ethiopia/ |publisher=Addisfortune |access-date=August 15, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190815223119/https://addisfortune.com/justices-overrule-dividend-tax-imposed-on-total-ethiopia/ |archive-date=August 15, 2019 | url-status = live }}</ref> Furthermore, he is serving as a Deputy chair of the Council of the Constitutional Inquiry of Ethiopia.<ref>{{Cite news | title = Another woman at the helm | url = https://www.thereporterethiopia.com/article/another-woman-helm | first = Yonas | last = Abiye | newspaper = [[The Reporter (Ethiopia)|The Reporter]] | date = 3 November 2018 | access-date = 26 August 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190815223118/https://www.thereporterethiopia.com/article/another-woman-helm | archive-date = August 15, 2019 | url-status = live }}</ref>
Deputy Chief Justice Waktolla, serving alongside newly appointed Chief Justice [[Meaza Ashenafi]], is engaged with reforming and modernizing the Ethiopian Judiciary since coming into office.<ref>{{Cite news | url = https://www.ena.et/en/?p=4027 | title = Restoring Public's Trust on Justice System will be Priority: New Supreme Court President | work = [[Ethiopian News Agency]] | location = Addis Ababa | date = October 1, 2018 | access-date = August 22, 2019}}</ref> He is also presiding over one of the cassation benches of the Federal Supreme court.<ref>{{cite news |title=Justices Overrule Dividend Tax Imposed on Total Ethiopia |url=https://addisfortune.com/justices-overrule-dividend-tax-imposed-on-total-ethiopia/ |publisher=Addisfortune |access-date=August 15, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190815223119/https://addisfortune.com/justices-overrule-dividend-tax-imposed-on-total-ethiopia/ |archive-date=August 15, 2019 | url-status = live }}</ref> Furthermore, he is serving as a Deputy chair of the Council of the Constitutional Inquiry of Ethiopia.<ref>{{Cite news | title = Another woman at the helm | url = https://www.thereporterethiopia.com/article/another-woman-helm | first = Yonas | last = Abiye | newspaper = [[The Reporter (Ethiopia)|The Reporter]] | date = 3 November 2018 | access-date = 26 August 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190815223118/https://www.thereporterethiopia.com/article/another-woman-helm | archive-date = August 15, 2019 | url-status = live }}</ref>
<gallery[[File:Deputy Chief Justice Solomon Waktolla presiding the Bench.jpg|thumb|Deputy Chief Justice Solomon Waktolla presiding the Bench]]
[[File:Deputy Chief Justice Solomon Waktolla presiding the Bench.jpg|thumb|Deputy Chief Justice Solomon Waktolla presiding the Bench]]


==References==
==References==

Revision as of 19:57, 12 September 2020

Solomon Areda Waktolla
ሰለሞን አረዳ ዋቅቶላ
File:Deputy Chief Justice Solomon Areda Waktolla taking the oath of Office.jpg
Deputy Chief Justice Solomon Areda Waktolla taking the oath of office
BornApril 29, 1975 (1975-04-29) (age 49)
Garba Guracha, Salalee, Ethiopia
EducationHarvard University (MPA, LLM),
Amsterdam University (LLM),
Addis Ababa University (LLB)
SpouseMulualem Girma
Children4

Solomon Areda Waktolla (Amharic፡ሰለሞን አረዳ ዋቅቶላ, Afan Oromo: Solomoon Araddaa Waqtolaa, born April 29, 1975) is the current Deputy Chief Justice/Vice President of the Federal Supreme Court of Ethiopia.[1] Deputy Chief Justice Waktolla is an Ethiopian lawyer[2] who has over 21 years of experience in law, public administration and policy research. He has been commited for seeing a free and independent judiciary in Ethiopia.[3] He was born and raised in Garba Guracha,Salalee North Shewa zone of Oromia Regional State. Deputy Chief Justice Waktolla, served in the Ethiopian Judiciary mainly as a judge for 17 years on different levels of the court in both regional and federal positions. In addition, Deputy Chief Justice Waktolla, has been appointed to the membership of the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) at the Hague, Netherlands for a six-year term to serve as an Arbitrator.[4]

File:Harvard University Kennedy School of Government Graduation- Solomon Areda Waktolla.jpg
Harvard University Kennedy School of Government Graduation- Solomon Areda Waktolla
File:Harvard Law School Graduation-Solomon Areda Waktolla.jpg
Harvard Law School Graduation-Solomon Areda Waktolla

Early life and Education

Solomon Areda Waktolla was born on April 29, 1975 from his father Areda Waktolla Hordofa and his mother Kibbi Bedhane Molu, in the town of Garba Guracha, Salalee, North Shewa zone of Oromia regional state in Ethiopia. He grew up in an extended family with twelve of his sisters and brothers. His hardworking parents contributed a meaningful role in supporting, guiding and shaping the person he is today. Being raised in a devoted Orthodox Christian household, Waktolla was influenced by the Christian faith and values. In addition, growing up in an extraordinary rich cultural traditions of the Oromo society that values inclusiveness and kindness, gave Waktolla a different outlook of life. From an early age, Waktolla stood out as the smartest kid in the class. He was a gifted student and regularly received first grade honors from school. He attended his elementary and high school education in a public school in the town of Garba Guracha. He then attended Addis Ababa University and obtained a bachelor's degree in Law in 1997. In addition, he holds a Master of law (LLM) from Harvard Law School and Master of public Administration (MPA) from Harvard Kennedy School of Government.[5] At Harvard Kennedy School of Government, Waktolla completed the fellowship of Edward S. Mason Program in public Policy and Management.[6] He also completed an LLM in International Economic Law at the University of Amsterdam.[7] He obtained HIID Merit Scholarship award from Harvard University. He is a member of the Harvard Alumni Association and currently serving as Harvard University Contact Person in Ethiopia.[8]

Waktolla is a fellow of Golda Meir Mount Carmel International Training Center[6] and an alumnus of The Center for American and International Law.[9]


Judicial career

After graduating from the law school, Waktolla began working as an assistant judge in the Oromia Region Supreme Court. After his clerkship, Waktolla was appointed as a judge of the Regional High Court in West Shewa Zone of Oromia region in Ambo Town. During his years in the Ambo High Court, he served in both Civil and Criminal divisions of the court. In 2001, Waktolla started his judgeship at the Federal First Instance Court of Ethiopia.[2] From February 2003 to January 2009, Waktolla served as a Federal High Court Judge and sat in Commercial, Criminal and Labor Divisions of the Federal High Court. During his six-years tenure at the Federal High Court, Waktolla presided over the historical genocide[10] case where the former Ministers and other Higher Officials that served during the Derg regime were prosecuted for genocide and crimes against humanity. In January 2009, the Ethiopian House of Parliament appointed Waktolla to serve as the Vice President of the Federal First Instance Court of Ethiopia.[11] His notable achievement while serving as a vice president includes the successful implementation of the reform packages introduced in the Ethiopian Judicial System. He was actively involved in the Ethiopian Court Reform Program through participating in the Comprehensive Justice System Reform Program Base Line Study. He also partook in the implementation, evaluation and coordination of these reform activities.[12]

Private legal practice

In December 2014, Waktolla entered the private legal practice and established his own firm named Solomon Areda Law Office in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Solomon Areda Law office offered a diversified expertise on various areas of the law; ranging from dealing in complex litigation and arbitration, corporate and commercial transactions, banking and finance, labor and employment, intellectual property, energy and infrastructure, mining and natural resources, construction law and Tax law. Waktolla's duties mainly include commercial litigation; advising clients on international commercial arbitrations; providing legal opinions on various aspects of commercial law; advising clients on matters relating to investment and regulatory compliance by foreign companies operating in Ethiopia; providing legal advice on matters relating to the regulatory framework of the financial sector in Ethiopia; conducting appropriate due diligence works and advising clients on investment projects relating to Mining and natural resources, Energy, infrastructure and public private partnerships.[13] He advised international law firms referring work into Ethiopia as well as global multi-nationals seeking to do business in Ethiopia and other African Countries[14] by employing innovative and pragmatic strategies. Within a short period, Solomon Areda Law Office became one of Ethiopia's leading corporate law firms handling; commercial litigation, international commercial arbitrations and many other legal transactions in investment and regulatory compliance serving both local and international clients. Waktolla represented very giant local and international companies on multi-million commercial disputes before Federal Courts and Arbitration Tribunals.[2]

Membership of the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA)

File:Deputy Chief Justice Solomon Areda Waktolla- Permanent Court of Arbitration , Peace Palace , Hague.jpg
Deputy Chief Justice Solomon Areda Waktolla- Permanent Court of Arbitration , Peace Palace , Hague

Deputy Chief Justice Waktolla was appointed to the membership of the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) for a term of six years as of December 2017 to serve as an arbitrator.[15] The PCA was the first permanent intergovernmental organization to provide a forum for the resolution of international disputes through arbitration and other peaceful means. The PCA is established by the Convention for the Pacific Settlement of International Disputes, concluded at the Hague 1899 during the first Hague Peace Conference to facilitate arbitration and other forms of dispute resolution between states.[16]

Policy research

1. The Ethiopian Government in collaboration with UNDP hired an international consultant,Center for International Legal Cooperation CILC), to conduct a study in order to identify the shortcomings of the Ethiopian legal system. In this study, Waktolla worked with the group of International Experts and produced a Comprehensive Justice Sector Reform Program Base Line Study Report. The Ethiopian legal reform was initiated based on this study.[12]

2. Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute the US based non-profit organization, organized The Way Forward Project[7] to conduct a study analyzing opportunities and challenges facing policy makers in six African Countries including Ethiopia as they work to develop system of Care that serve children in and through their families. Justice Waktolla, worked with a group of international Experts in framing the strategies for developing the legal and government infrastructure necessary to support child welfare systems which promote individualized best interest determinations and family-based care. The Way Forward Project was released at US State Department Summit held on 8 November 2011 at George C. Marshall Center in the presence of the former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and other officials from the US and other parts of the world.[7]

3. Waktolla engaged in coordinating various projects with NGOs and Government offices geared towards promoting child justice through child friendly courts. He presented a research paper on 'the creation of child friendly courts in Ethiopia' on the UN Conference on the Convention of the Rights of the Child held in Geneva November 2009.[17]

4. At Harvard Law School Waktolla, as a required written work, authored legal policy research on Land governance regime of Ethiopia.[18] Ethiopia is one of the African countries that attracted foreign investors in agricultural land investment. However, these land investments has led to widespread displacement of the local people and massive human right violations. The government leased these lands to foreign investors by displacing small scale land holders, pastoralists and other indigenous people, who depend on land for their survival.[18] The research focuses on how to redesign the land governance system of Ethiopia by examining a wide range of other countries' collaborative arrangements between large-scale investors and local small-scale farmers and finally proposes what alternative inclusive business models and policy frame works to be adapted in the Ethiopia's context to address the current challenges.[18]

Appointment to the position of Deputy Chief Justice

On November 1, 2018, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed announced the nomination of Meaza Ashenafi and Solomon Areda Waktolla to the Chief justice and Deputy Chief Justice position of the federal supreme court of Ethiopia respectively in a live, nationwide television broadcast from the Ethiopian Parliament. The House of People's Representatives (HPR) approved the appointment of Meaza Ashenafi and Solomon Areda Waktolla as Chief Justice and Deputy Chief Justice of the Federal Supreme Court respectively[19] by a unanimous vote. Some of the parliamentarians who spoke during the nomination have also praised the Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed for his picks based on meritocracy.[2] Deputy Chief Justice Waktolla, serving alongside newly appointed Chief Justice Meaza Ashenafi, is engaged with reforming and modernizing the Ethiopian Judiciary since coming into office.[20] He is also presiding over one of the cassation benches of the Federal Supreme court.[21] Furthermore, he is serving as a Deputy chair of the Council of the Constitutional Inquiry of Ethiopia.[22]

File:Deputy Chief Justice Solomon Waktolla presiding the Bench.jpg
Deputy Chief Justice Solomon Waktolla presiding the Bench

References

  1. ^ "Muudamtoonni Mana Murtii Waliigalaa Federaalaa haqa hunda qaqqabsiisuuf ni hojjenna jedhan" (in Oromo). BBC AFAAN OROMOO. Archived from the original on August 22, 2019. Retrieved August 26, 2019.
  2. ^ a b c d "News: Another Historic Day as Ethiopia Supreme Court Gets First Female President, and a Prominent Lawyer as Vice President". Addis Standard. Addis Abeba. November 1, 2018. Archived from the original on April 24, 2019. Retrieved August 26, 2019.
  3. ^ "የፌደራል ጠቅላይ ፍርድ ቤት ፕሬዚዳንት ወ/ሮ መዓዛ አሸናፊ እና ምክትል ፕሬዚዳንት አቶ ሰለሞን አረዳ ፍትህን ለሁሉም ለማድረስ እንደሚሰሩ ገለፁ" (in Amharic). BBC Amharic. November 2, 2018. Archived from the original on August 21, 2019. Retrieved August 26, 2019.
  4. ^ "Members of the Court". Permanent Court of Arbitration. Archived from the original on August 27, 2016. Retrieved August 26, 2019 – via pca-cpa.org.
  5. ^ "Harvard Clubs". Harvard Alumni. Archived from the original on August 19, 2019. Retrieved August 26, 2019.
  6. ^ a b "Linkedin".
  7. ^ a b c "The way forward project" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on March 26, 2016. Retrieved August 15, 2019.
  8. ^ "Alumni & Shared Interest Groups". africa.harvard.edu. Archived from the original on August 15, 2019. Retrieved August 15, 2019.
  9. ^ "Academy of American and International Law" (PDF). The Center for American and International Law. April 25, 2018. Archived (PDF) from the original on August 23, 2019. Retrieved August 26, 2019.
  10. ^ "Haqaa fi Itoophiyaa: Maraammartoo 'Maa'ikalaawii' mootummoota sadanii". bbc.com. BBC AFAAN OROMO.
  11. ^ Shewareged, Bruck (January 24, 2009). "Ethiopia Parliament approves presidents for supreme, high courts". The Reporter. Archived from the original on July 4, 2017. Retrieved August 26, 2019 – via nazret.com.
  12. ^ a b "Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia Comprehensive Justice System Reform Program" (PDF). Ethiopian Legal Information Portal. February 2005. Archived (PDF) from the original on November 5, 2018. Retrieved August 26, 2019 – via www.lawethiopia.com.
  13. ^ "ወ/ሮ መአዛ አሸናፊ የመጀመርያዋ ሴት የጠቅላይ ፍርድ ቤት ፕሬዚዳንት ሆኑ". ሪፖርተር ጋዜጣ.
  14. ^ "Ethiopia appoints first woman Supreme Court president". Leadership for Christian Leaders.
  15. ^ "Members of the Permanent Court of Arbitration" (PDF). pcs-cpa.org. Permanent Court of Arbitration. June 6, 2019. Archived (PDF) from the original on August 15, 2019. Retrieved August 26, 2019.
  16. ^ "About Permanent Court of Arbitration". pcs-cpa.org. Permanent Court of Arbitration. Archived from the original on April 24, 2019. Retrieved August 26, 2019.
  17. ^ "Convention on the Rights of the Child: From Moral Imperatives to Legal Obligations, In Search of Effective Remedies for Child Rights Violations" (PDF). Child Rights International Network. November 5, 2009. Archived (PDF) from the original on August 21, 2019. Retrieved August 26, 2019 – via archive.crin.org.
  18. ^ a b c Waktolla, Solomon Areda (2014). Alternative Models for the Current Agricultural Land Investment in Ethiopia. Harvard Law School – via Google Books.
  19. ^ "Women Power". Capital. November 5, 2018. Archived from the original on August 15, 2019. Retrieved August 26, 2019.
  20. ^ "Restoring Public's Trust on Justice System will be Priority: New Supreme Court President". Ethiopian News Agency. Addis Ababa. October 1, 2018. Retrieved August 22, 2019.
  21. ^ "Justices Overrule Dividend Tax Imposed on Total Ethiopia". Addisfortune. Archived from the original on August 15, 2019. Retrieved August 15, 2019.
  22. ^ Abiye, Yonas (November 3, 2018). "Another woman at the helm". The Reporter. Archived from the original on August 15, 2019. Retrieved August 26, 2019.
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