Ethiopia Country Profile

Private Anti-Corruption Initiatives

  • Media: In principle, freedom of the press, access to information of public interest and prohibition of censorship are guaranteed by the constitution. However, the reality of the situation has reportedly deteriorated in recent years, especially following the 2005 elections when large numbers of journalists and other civil society actors were imprisoned. Authorities occasionally detain, beat or harass journalists, and as a result, an increasing number of journalists practise self-censorship. There are several incidents of journalists being harassed or detained after publishing articles about corruption. In a 2005 UNECA study, 75% of the experts surveyed reported that the media operates in an environment where its rights are frequently violated by the government. According to Freedom House 2007, Ethiopia is the third worst country in the world when it comes to imprisoning journalists. Authorities frequently invoke the 1992 Law on the Press regarding publication of false and offensive information in order to justify the arrest and detainment of journalists. Certain provisions concerning the press were included in the Penal Code in 2005 and issues of concern include government-controlled licensing, restrictions on print and broadcast ownership and the establishment of a government-controlled press council with powers to engage in prior censorship. The state controls all broadcast media. Access to the media is very unequal throughout the country. The privately-owned press continues to criticise the government, but is constrained by low circulation, financial struggles, and the fact that the government owns all printing presses in the country and occasionally refuses to print private publications. The Ethiopian press is considered to be 'not free' and ranks 166th out of 195 countries on the Freedom House Freedom of the Press Index 2009, while the Reporters Without Borders Worldwide Press Freedom Index 2008 ranks the country 142nd out of 173 countries.

  • Civil Society: Civil society in Ethiopia is generally considered to be weak and it is consequently not particularly active in the fight against corruption. However, there are some organisations voicing their views on corruption issues, and there is a growing interest on behalf of the private sector and CSOs/NGOs in fighting corruption. However, this activity is not without costs. The leaders of two influential CSOs dealing with governance, Daniel Bekele of ActionAid and Netsanet Demissie of the Organisation for Social Justice in Ethiopia, were arrested in November 2005 and convicted of 'crimes of outrage against the Constitution'. More than 60% of experts surveyed in a 2005 UNECA study reported that civil society had a weak or no influence on government policies and programmes.

  • Transparency Ethiopia is the local chapter of Transparency International. It conducts advocacy work on anti-corruption laws and works to promote greater public awareness of corruption issues through reporting, workshops, seminars and events.

  • The Organisation for Social Justice in Ethiopia (OSJE) is a human rights NGO that aims to promote social justice, democracy and good governance by addressing the denial and violations of basic rights of the poor and marginalised. The OSJE functioned as a secretariat for a 35-member coalition of NGOs to observe the May 2005 elections, and has been publicly outspoken about corruption in the country. The leader of the organisation is presently jailed on charges of treason.

  • ActionAid is an international NGO with an Ethiopian chapter working against poverty and injustice through various focus areas, such as equity, justice and transparency. The leader of the chapter has been outspoken about governance issues and is presently jailed on charges of treason. The organisation has been accused by the Ministry of Justice for attempting to interfere with the administration of justice by calling for the release of the jailed civil society leaders.

  • Initiative Africa (IA) is an Addis Ababa-based NGO and think-tank that brings together project managers and their organisations to improve and bring innovation to governance and development practices in Ethiopia and greater Africa. The organisation was established in 2002 by individual business entrepreneurs. IA promotes the study of public and private governance and facilitates dialogue and knowledge-sharing through locally driven development programmes and activities, such as workshops, analyses and conferences. IA works to combat inequality, injustice and power differentials by promoting actions that advance human rights, good governance and democracy, and by building the capacity of local CSOs/NGOs working in this area. IA works in partnership with communities, government agencies, international organisations, NGOs and the private sector.