ADDIS ABABA – Civil Societies Agency urged all entities, registered under the previous proclamation 621/2009, to get re-registered before the one-year grace period comes to an end.
The new proclamation 1113/2011 requires all CSOs to be re-registered, Agency’s Public Relations Director Mesfin Tadesse told The Ethiopian Herald.
Despite the opening of the re-registration since May 2019, only 556 CSOs obtained their new licenses, according to him.
Indicating that the period will end in May 2020, he said the Agency has installed various mechanisms to offer swift services.
Regarding new registration, he said around 200 civic organizations get registered on average annually but the number has shown increment recently.
Mentioning that around 3,400 CSOs were registered under the previous law, he said the process may help to identify which CSOs have been working actively.
“The Agency has offered adequate trainings to its staff aiming at meeting the expectations of customers.”
He said following up works has been taking place over the last years but few entities cut communications with the Agency for long time. To him, these entities were unable to be accessed on their addresses.
Manager of Christian Service International Ethiopia, a non-for-profit organization, Shimels Ayalew, said CSOs have obtained trainings envisaged facilitating the re-registration.
He also said the new law has improved previous renewal period from one to three years which helps to save resources.
The Ethiopian Herald August 2/2019
BY BETHLEHEM ASFAW
