Ethiopia realizes system guaranteeing democratic unity of people: Abay

Addis Ababa, May 24, 2016 (FBC) – Ethiopia has put in place a system which guaranteed a democratic unity of people on the basis of equality and their will, said Abay Tsehaye, Director General of Policy Study and Research Center with the rank of Minister.

Though Ethiopia is in the conflict prone and restive horn of Africa region, it is a peaceful country, he told FBC today. And, “this peace is the foundation for the economic growth registered in the country over the past two decades,” he said.

During the first 12 years, Ethiopia’s annual economic growth was 5.5 percent. However, the country has been registering on average a double-digit (10 percent) economic growth since EPRDF’s reform in 1991 E.C, he said.

“The growth is promising and encouraging,” he said, adding it is an inspiration to shift the country to a better development stage.

Speaking on the democracy built in Ethiopia over the past 25 years, Abay said the beginning is good and “above all, we have one of the best Constitutions. It is a complete Constitution not only on paper but also proved successful in practice.”

But, his concerns are lack of good governance and rent seeking. “There are rent seeking behaviors within the government structure, the leaderships, members of EPRDF and the community,” he said

In order to tackle these challenges, the government has begun good governance campaign, he said, demanding the campaign to be intensified at all levels- the lower, middle and higher level government officials.

“The challenges are not beyond our capability but need more efforts. Above all, we have the backing from the public as well as clear policy and strategy to address the problems,” he noted.