As part of the legacy, the major hurdle in achieving the ongoing reform goals is the absence of strong democratic institutions that swiftly address public grievances and check abuse of power. And the major question is how to go about these issues and achieve a successful democratic transition? As James Madison Jr, the fourth president of the United States noted ‘If men were angels, no government would be necessary.
If angels were to govern men, no controls on government would be necessary.” Since men are not angels, hence the need for checks on power. And this is where strong and independent democratic institutions are needed to fill this gap. At the time of reform, the best way to make sure that past human and democratic abuses do not happen again is through independent democratic institutions that do not tolerate abuse of power.
Biniyam Abate, General Director of Ethiopian Human Rights Council tells The Ethiopian Herald that the government is taking various reform measures to strengthen democratic institutions so that they serve as a bridge between the government and public. “And the crux of the matter is addressing public grievances and move to check abuse of power,” he says.
Democratic institutions should also serve as a platform for promoting political participation and democratic values, he says. “Accountability, transparency and checks and balances within the public administration would also be ensured through the active involvement of democratic institutions.” Government branches alone cannot develop and strengthen democracy and good governance. It requires the synergy of efforts.
“Now the government and stakeholders are creating different platforms to reinforce rule of law, restructure institutions, improve participation and nurture democracy,” Biniyam states. The process of development of democratic institutions needs multi-dimensional initiatives at the national level that integrates different approaches. Especially, it requires the fostering the culture of dialogue, he notes.
As to him, the reform measures that aim at ensuring media freedom and amending repressive laws such as charities and civil societies’ proclamation and anti-terrorism law are bold moves to facilitate the creation of independent democratic institutions. Mesfin Tadesse, Communication and Public Relation Director at Charities and Civil Societies Agency, says that the government is working to improve proclamations, laws and other procedures to safeguard citizens’ rights and benefits in an organized way.
“The ongoing reforms to alter or revoke repressive laws are central to the better performance of democratic institutions.” Mesfin also adds that the agency is undergoing internal reforms and new faces are coming to the leadership to help it effectively discharge its mandates.
As an organized society that participates actively in the political life of the country is central to nurturing democracy, the Agency is undertaking its internal reforms in light of the fact, he adds. In the past, the major stumbling block for civil societies in playing a constructive role in building democracy has been lack of funding and freedom of assembly due to restrictive laws. That was the reason why for many civil societies and charities gave up on their activities, Mesfin adds.
He supposes that improved proclamations and laws will pave the way for democratic institutions to further serve citizens and protect their rights in the future. Hence civil societies will help ensure genuine public participation and echo their concerns and grievances. And this is the best way to ensure sustainable democracy and rule of law.
The eight democratic institutions that are operating in the country have not yet built the capacity to be neutral and strong, Tadele Derso, Executive Director of Vision Ethiopia for Democracy on his part says. However, one cannot deny the fact that the government and stakeholders are utilizing various alternatives to ensure neutrality and independence among the institutions to enable them play constructive democratization role.
In the past, many of the socalled democratic institutions have been instruments of the executive bodies. Now the main thing has to be enabling them to have the capacity to be independent and stand for their cause so that their allegiance is to the constitution and the public, as to the Executive Director. On the other hand, the success and strength of the democratic institutions depend on human capacity and availability of other resources. Institutions should develop the capability of their employees, members, and resources in a trustworthy, transparent and accountable manner.
As to him, the reform has started but there are several challenges on the way. While it has been effective at higher government structures so far, it needs to expand to the grassroots level to guarantee public participation. “Now the repressive laws are being amended, there is no reason for democratic institutions, such as civil societies and charities not to perform their advocacy for democracy at the grassroots level.”
Democratic institutions such as media, general auditor, ombudsman, electoral board, human rights commission and federal ethics and anti-corruption should be neutral and strong to perform their tasks. And the general public also has to be willing to make sure that no human and democratic rights are abused in the country, he points out.
The Ethiopian Herald, January 10/2019
BY TSEGAYE TILAHUN
