Challenges and Prospects of Democratization Process in Ethiopia

Abstract

The Central objective of this paper is to examine democratization process in Ethiopia by focusing on the challenges and prospects of post 1991 situations. To this end qualitative methodology was employed to gather data from secondary sources. For this purpose journal articles, official documents, constitution and other legal documents and policies were used. Based upon the data the study revealed that Ethiopia was experienced a deep rooted undemocratic political culture and submissive behavior of citizens vis-vis state until 1991. But, post 1991 the Transitional Government Charter and FDRE Constitution espouse a new democracy friendly laws and orders which contains a bill of rights which guarantying freedom, equality and social justice. So the post 1991 FDRE Constitution, other laws and development programs are the prospect for accelerating democratization process in Ethiopia.  However, there are problems in implementing these opportunities on the grounds. Among others, the force of inertia (history of undemocratic political culture), weakness of actors in democratization process, Political polarization among political parties, weakness of democratic institutions and corruption are the major challenges to the realization of democratization process in Ethiopia. Hence, the study implies that there is the need to strengthen actors in democratization process like political parties, Civil Society and media on the one hand and democratic institutions on the other hand.

Keywords:Democratization, Ethiopia, Civil Society, Political Parties, multi-party politics, Media