Mr. Chairman
Dear Participants, 

First of all, I would like to pass my thanks and appreciation to the organizers of this conference for giving me this opportunity to make an opening address. 

This Conference which deals with the contemporary burning questions of Africa - democracy and good governance, good governance and sustainable development, the role of civil society and researchers - is one of its kinds on the real problems of Africa. 

Mr. Chairman 

Let me say something on the theme of the conference in relation to my country, Ethiopia.  As we all know, Ethiopia was in civil war for more than thirty years.  Before six years ago, democratic fronts defeated the Derge regime which suppressed the democratic rights of nations, nationalities and people.  Immediately after the civil war, democratic fronts  formed a transitional government which consisted of different political organizations and groupings.  One of the tasks of the transitional government of Ethiopia was to create an enabling environment for a democratic system to function.  In order to facilitate or institutionalize the democratic process, basic institutions have been developed during the transitional period.  These, in the main, include 

• the transitional period charter; 

• the proclamation to establish the electoral board; 

• the Federal Constitution drafting Commission; 

• the proclamation establishing a free judicial system; 

• the proclamation of free press; and  

• the proclamation concerning the registration procedure for different political parties in Ethiopia.

As a result, the Federal Constitution of Ethiopia was ratified with the full participation of the Ethiopian nation, nationalities and people.  Three years have passed since the ratification of the Federal Constitution and two years since the formation of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia which embodies the three branches of government: the legislative, the executive, and an independent judiciary. The Ethiopian experience has shown that transition from a dictatorial government to a democratic system is not simple, as institutions needed to be formed in order to facilitate the democratization process. 

Currently, the Parliament of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopian is consolidating the democratization process by strengthening:  

• the electoral board; 

• the independent judiciary=s performance; 

• free-press activities.  Furthermore, the parliament is going to establish a human rights commission and ombudsman institutions in order to enhance and facilitate the democratization process in Ethiopia.

Mr. Chairman 

There can be no good governance without a democratic system in which all citizens  fully participate in the political, economic and social activities initiated by government.  All public officials at each level should be accountable and transparent to the citizens in order to enhance the interrelated process of sustainable development and democracy in Africa.  It is clear that a democratic system requires the involvement of civil society in promoting sustainable development in Africa.  Civil society institutions are in the early stages of their development in Africa.  Therefore, we feel that civil society groups in Africa should broaden their objectives and address properly the interests of the peoples of our continent. 

Currently, Africa is undergoing economic transformation.  On the positive side, some African countries are under the process of economic reform and are achieving relatively high economic growth.  On the negative side, there are other African countries which are in civil war and conflicts and there are corrupt leaders.  Generally, the current African situation is not disappointing but we have to work together to accelerate the process of the formation of the democratic systems and achieving sustainable development in Africa. 

In order to have sustainable development, we need ‘applied research’ to support the economic reform.  The applied research should address the problems of our continent and should highlight solutions to African problems.  Therefore, researchers in Africa should not work only for their academic excellence but also make attempts to address the problems of Africa and seek African solutions to African problems.  The results of the research should not be left in shelves but should be communicated to policy-makers and policy managers in order to enhance our development. 

Finally, I should mention that parliament is one of the key democratic institutions to serve as a bridge between government and civil society.  Therefore, parliamentarians in Africa can play a central role in the democratization process by carrying out their legislative duties and by monitoring the duties and responsibilities of the executive branches of government and by articulating the interests of their constituencies more efficiently and effectively in accordance with the constitutional mandates given to the parliaments.  I am sure that proper functioning of parliaments in Africa can enhance the democratization process in our continent. 

Mr. Chairman 

The Ethiopian Federal Parliament and the Government are committed to working together for peace, sustainable development and democracy in Africa. 

Finally, I wish you all a pleasant stay in Ethiopia and successful proceedings of the conference.  

Thank You,

Back to Publications page