17 March 2008: Where is Ethiopia Heading?

Ethiopia is one of the oldest countries in the world and Sub Saharan Africa’s second most populous country. The long history and continued existence of this state have not, however, translated into development. The country remains among the poorest in the world. Long years of civil war, recurrent famine and a chronic lack of good governance can be considered as the primary factors that have exacerbated Ethiopia’s woes.

Bookmark with:

Facebook

del.icio.us

Digg It!

Over the past two decades there have been meaningful attempts to improve Ethiopia’s economy. The infrastructural, social and economic improvement is encouraging, most importantly in the rural areas where 85 % of the population is estimated to be benefiting from recent change. However, the change in the rural areas has not made life in urban centers better. Urban poverty has not diminished and inflation – hitherto unknown in Ethiopia – is hitting urbanites hard.

Although general economic progress is undeniable, the scourge of corruption has appeared and is in fact rapidly spreading. Palm-greasing activities like giving a sheep or a gallon of butter to public officials were a common phenomenon during Emperor Haile Sellassie’s time, some forty years ago. During Colonel Mengistu Hailemariam’s period in office corruption was at a very low level and fear kept it under the horizon. At one point in time the fact that one public official had spent $ 20,000.00 for his personal use was “breaking news” for weeks.

At the early stages of the Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) administration, in the early 1990’s, holding public office was a very tough business. The widespread practice of public evaluation known as “Gemgema” meant that public officials were used to being held accountable to the people they were expected to serve. The mechanism served for some time as an effective tool to control corruption and any misuse of public power. That did not last long. Spectacular corruption cases hit the headlines and brought down hundreds of officials. Even a former Prime Minster faced the courts and was sentenced to 18 years in prison. But corruption continued to grow.

In May 2001, the EPRDF government established the Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission. The commission’s objectives were the promotion of ethics through education, the prevention of corruption through reviewing working procedures and systems, the development of a code of ethics for public servants, and the investigation and prosecution of suspected corruption cases. However, in its seven years of operation the Commission has had little impact on the spiraling problem of corruption in Ethiopia.

These days it is believed that millions of dollars of public wealth is being plundered from many if not all public institutions. There is widespread public and media sentiment that institutions like banks, telecom bodies, sport federations, municipalities and other notable institutions have become heavily compromised. Alarmingly, the public sector is being looted by individuals who are emboldened by the lack of effective control mechanisms. People are facing the hard truth that corruption is taking hold of the country’s daily activities in almost all sectors. The government seems to be aware of the problem but appears hopelessly impotent. Added to the general conditions of poverty, the prevalence of grand corruption can only deepen the sense of frustration of the people and worsen their circumstances. It is high time that public officials be compelled to make known their assets and that the Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission be given a real mandate and practical means by which to deal with this scourge.