Civil societies play tenacious role to bridge loopholes in societal, economic and environmental spheres especially by taking role in highly studied and community oriented mobilizations. Civil societies, relying on their deep rooted connection and wide access to the mass, play tremendous role in providing information to the public about issues such as; how to live in a democratic society, citizens’ rights and responsibilities, improving the socio economic status of the society, boosting public participation in state affairs among others. On top of that, as to GTP II, the government plans to engage the mass in planning and reviewing development programs through different social groups and professional associations.
However, their engagement was highly limited to mere political consumption to the international community than frank utilization of their contributions. Besides, according to critiques, most CSOs were politically affiliated which neither voiced the sorrow of the mass they tend to represent nor render recommendations to the government during the earlier political upheavals and unrests. None of them provided advance advice or recommendations to the government to address demands of their constituency and the society at large to avoid loss of lives and property.
They continue to be largely silent and inactive during the wave of resistances almost every part of the nation. Amid to the wave of reform across the nation, civic societies have broad role to fill in and support the reform.
The good news, following prolonged clamor of restrictive laws, the state frequently expressed its unwavering commitment to strengthen and engage CSOs in the national reforms. Besides, state has guaranteed its firm commitment of realizing consistent and robust civic society as part of ongoing reform, and started the journey by amending the Charities and Society Proclamation Act (CSO law). Akalewold Bantirgu, team leader of the Technical Assistant Unit of the joint EU-Ethiopia civil society fund II, agrees with the critiques.
He noted that CSOs did not play active role in the national reform over the past two years. One of the bottlenecks, as to him, was the Charities and Societies proclamation that restricted mandates and resources for independent civil society operation. Asked about the motivations now to invigorate operations he pointed that the government has now clearly reaffirmed its desire to facilitate the emergence, growth and effective participation of civil societies in the nation building process.
“The currently ongoing process of amending the restrictive Charities and Societies proclamation is a confirmation of the government commitment. In anticipation of the eminent amendment of the law, civic organisations should wake up from the prolonged ‘business as usual’ sense and prepare themselves to play their legitimate roles in supporting the reform process.” Regarding the prerequisites for a meaningful participation, Akalewold stressed the need to undertake internal reforms by CSOs, thereby resetting objectives, strategies and designating transforming leaders.
This is not, however, an easy task for many; and some existing civic groups could fail to do so and turn redundant, while many other new groups emerge based on lessons so far and in response to national and local needs found it challenging. Akalewold stressed that, nation needs local civil societies that work with the local governance hand and glove so as to mitigate inter community skirmishes, displacements, looting and havoc we have witnessed so far.
“Had we such organized civic groups, for example at woreda levels, the various inter community skirmishes, displacements, looting and destruction of properties would have been curtailed.” Independent civic organizations and their leadership wield and command social respect in front of authorities and the public at large to mediate the best interest of society. Hence, it is important that we facilitate the integrated participation of CSOs in local governance to make sure the development process is inclusive and citizen centered.
This may need some time for all to organize and comeforward but it is an action without other options, he opines. Ethiopian Civic Societies and Charities Forum chairperson Negash Teklu for his part says it is a new chapter for CSOs to look forward to benefit the communities and equip them with skill and attitude. As to him, civil societies need to strive to serve in a balanced, neutral, accountable, independent and democratic way to meet envisaged goals. “It is high time to recompense the missed opportunities in the past twenty years.
The Forum runs over three thousand civic societies across the nation. I call up these all to take part in ensuring community participation and support national reform.” He further underlined civic societies to execute GTP II, SDGs as well as sectoral plans in their respective States and rely on ensuring gender equality and empowerment, improving maternal health, savings efforts and natural resource conservation among others. Overall, CSOs lively engagement in the ongoing national reform is a no brainer additive to accelerated improvements. Yet, in the meantime, state and other concerned bodies should work hard and devoted in realizing competitive and robust CSOs.
Herald January 2/2019
BY MENGISTEAB TESHOME
