Ethiopia: Expanding the political landscape

The transition that Ethiopia is going through in recent months is seen by many as promising, which would eventually lead to the country becoming a privileged group of countries where there are democratic institutions and democratic systems that govern the country. political establishment

. Ethiopian history has unfortunately not had many encouraging episodes of free and democratic governments that have been elected by the people. From imperial times to the most recent times, the way the country was governed has not lived up to the democratic standards that millions of people would like. If one thinks of the number of years during which the country has lived in freedom and independence without interference or submission to foreign forces as has happened to almost the entire African continent, the level political awareness and maturity leaves much to be desired. We should have been examples of democracy and good governance for others.

Moreover, apparently, we have not sufficiently nourished the democratic tradition despite the changes in government praising the validity of democracy and theoretically subscribing to this principle. however, little progress has been made. Little satisfaction has been conferred on the public.

Ethiopia has enacted a sophisticated constitution that appears to be very forward-looking and informed. But in the final badysis, our daily activities in government and at other levels have not resulted in full commitment to these provisions. It can be said that there were more nuances than enlightenment regarding the correct implementation of these sacred principles. That is why there have been protests and grievances that have something to do with the functioning of the government.

No wonder frustrated people scream in the last three years before the ruling party decides to turn the page. its modus operandi and submit to a deep and fundamental reform. Such an opportunity has brought new leaders, young and vigorous as Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.

The pressure and conditions in which the country has found may be related to the lack of well-established and reliable democratic institutions. If that had been the case, there would have been no problems in the way in which complaints and other problems were to be resolved.

Issues of poor governance and other similar issues would have been addressed before they entered the institutions. leaders. Well-developed democratic institutions have their own legal and institutional mechanisms to address these shortcomings. On many occasions, they would have had the way to avoid them or hit them in the bud. Regular consultation mechanisms abound and these problems can never go unnoticed and treated. Governments are required to operate in a transparent manner and they are also strictly monitored. The media do their duty of surveillance and if wrongs are found, the judiciary will take care of it.

Democracy may not be a very easy concept to implement, especially in societies like ours where the complexity of the issues and the multiplicity of interests groups make things more difficult and tend to undermine unity of action. Our recent history shows that we are "under development". As governments have continued to change, institutions have not been sufficiently targeted to be strengthened. The lack of open and strong democratic institutions has always been a challenge to practice good governance. Observers say that is usually the case when power is monopolized by one of the few political groups. Abraham Lincoln is said to have said that "power corrupts and absolute power absolutely corrupts".

In democratic societies, there are independent institutions that control the functioning of the government. There are various forms of control and balance between Parliament, the judiciary and the media, each playing a key role in the process. The way power is exercised is closely monitored by these institutions, thus avoiding any form of bad practice.

Ethiopian democratic institutions did not have their natural course for developing and maturing also because various factors played their part. Many opposition party leaders claim that democracy in our country has been measured and weighed to the extent of the pleasure of the wishes and needs of the ruling party and transmitted to the people sparingly. This was openly denounced by them accusing the ruling coalition of being jealous of their power, never ready to share it. He has always maintained that those who did not share his ideology could not in any way work with them.

Of course, democracy does not base its principles on such ideas. Democracy needs the participation of all stakeholders, all citizens and it is the sum of every group, every individual who could be the key to responding to all the public demands and solving their problems. Exclusivist conceptions of power are not compatible with democratic principles and, with the new wave of change underway in the country, this basic principle is underlined.

Participation in government is a key idea to focus on. The opening of the political landscape is the main and very crucial principle on which the reformed ruling party and the new leadership have subscribed. This is why in all the recent speeches and remarks of the new Prime Minister, we hear it insist that all political forces, all interest groups, all groups that have good ideas for the people and the government are welcome. There is no monopoly of power, there is no more monopoly of truth and anyone with good ideas for the country is welcome at the big table where ideas are discussed, shared and debated. , based on the law and principles. It is in this context that new legislation has released all politically motivated prisoners and overturned the proclamation that sanctioned political parties such as the OLF, ONLF and "Ginbot Sebat" as & # 39; "terrorist organizations". Subsequently, their members were released from the detention centers and invited to take part in the political speech. A new Amnesty Law has also been promulgated to invite other forces to be amnestied to take part in political debates.

Controversy and disagreements may arise during these discussions but as long as the ultimate goal is growth and improvement Many people argue that this is only the initial phase as changes in our Countries can not be done only by a few people who are at the top of the leadership circle. . Leaders are indispensable in any transformation, but they can not rely on them because they need to be supported by strong and independent democratic institutions and foundations. The impact becomes sustainable and irreversible. Ssuking personal prowess and strength may not be totally avoidable, but it's not the way democracies are supposed to work. The contributions of strong personalities can be decisive because they inspire millions to follow them. However, there must be democratic institutions capable of familiarizing or introducing such figures with the entire population.

There is no business behind the curtain that does not involve participation and awareness without the blessing of people. governed. This is why many argue that Ethiopia must now focus on strengthening its democratic institutions such as the parliament, the electoral commission, the media, the judiciary and of course the defense and security forces. who must respond to the principles of the Constitution. Otherwise, things can easily be derailed by forces whose personal or collective interests are threatened by any form of reform. There can be many obstacles and challenges along the way and it's never easy to implement new ideas in a society that has not had a strong tradition of democratic maturity and knowledge. It must be the responsibility of all citizens to take part in the democratic process and to perform their duties in unison.

That is why we must welcome and support the current changes and direct ourselves to an open and transparent society fully accountable to the locals. We must check with our institutions who may have disappointed us. They must respond to the new democratic principles that we want to adopt and be governed by them.

A few days ago, the Prime Minister met with political parties and told them that the return was now inconceivable. because the country needs a multiparty democracy. This can only be done if we have the common good, the good of the country at the top of our personal agenda.

Divisions are therefore incompatible with the kind of vision that the new leadership has promoted. The new motto speaks loudly: "Let's summarize all our ideas and efforts to rebuild our nation." Let us think of the overall picture of a united and strong Ethiopia, not fragmented by ethnic and other diversities, and integrate ourselves with neighboring countries so that our forces are important enough to influence internationally in the same direction. An integrated and globalized world

The recent diplomatic victories of Ethiopian leaders, particularly the peace that Ethiopia and Eritrea have managed to seal, will contribute to this vision. The Horn of Africa could be a strong subregion that is closely linked and trade and investment can thrive.