By Herman J. Cohen
The thirty years of civil war, including seventeen years of brutal Communist dictatorship have ended in Ethiopia. At last, Ethiopia has the opportunity to concentrate on forming a government that will enable its people to earn a livelihood and have a say in the political and economic decisions which affect their lives. While Ethiopia needs and will probably receive substantial assistance from the international community, the issue of whether or not permanent peace and stability are achieved will be up to the Ethiopian people themselves.
The task ahead is formidable. Ethiopia has never had a democratic form of government. Ethiopian politics are still very volatile, and a legacy of ethnic and political rivalry remains. However, Ethiopia has many assets, including a long and noble history, a talented people, and abundant physical resources. The commitment to democracy that has been expressed by all political factions in Ethiopian politics gives cause for hope that Ethiopia has made the first steps in the direction of a society in which its people are free to make their own political and economic choices.
The broad-based transitional government in Ethiopia has made great progress in the few months it has been in existence. The Representative Council has adopted a charter of basic principles to guide the government, to promote fundamental human rights, and to hold free elections within two and a half years. Real political debate is heard in Addis Ababa for the first time in years, and political life — which atrophied under Mengistu — is beginning again. In September, an independent weekly newspaper began publication. Local and regional elections will probably be held before the end of the year.
While there is much to be done to develop institutions and practices which will ensure democracy and respect for human rights, the government appears to be moving in the right direction. However, we are concerned about the large number of officials from the Mengistu regime who are being detained. We continue to urge the transitional government either to charge these persons with an offenses and give them a fair trial or release them.
The Ethiopian government has wisely decided upon a two-year transition phase in which it will seek to revive the economy, rebuild infrastructure, and establish a democratic government and society. During this time, the international community should more quickly assist Ethiopian refugees outside Ethiopia to return to their homes.
After the transition phase, Ethiopia should be able to undertake projects to achieve sustainable economic growth and provide effective social services for all its citizens.
To help Ethiopia revive its economy and rebuild its infrastructure, the international community can assist Ethiopia in acquiring essential commodities and spare parts to get trucks rolling and factories working. Thirty to forty percent of the nation’s industries are now closed for lack of raw materials and spare parts and the vital transport sector is operating at less than half of capacity. Many of the country’s roads, bridges, telecommunications, schools, and clinics were destroyed or damaged by the war. Returnees, displaced persons, and ex- soldiers will need a range of assistance, such as seeds and tools, oxen, and job training, in order to reintegrate productively into Ethiopian society.
While Ethiopia will continue to require emergency assistance, consisting ostly of food, the United State’s goal is to move gradually out of emergency assistance programs and into development assistance programs. The United States government will support, and will encourage other donors to support, UNHCR’s efforts to promote voluntary repatriation for long-time Ethiopian refugees in Sudan, Kenya and Djibouti and Somali refugees in eastern Ethiopia and Djibouti. This would effect a durable solution for over one million refugees in these countries, both lessening the refuge burden on asylum countries and promoting stability in the Horn of Africa.
Also during the transition period, Ethiopia may need assistance as its officials develop new strategies, policies, and options for fostering political, economic, and social development. Areas in which such assistance could be provided are privatizing the economy, decentralizing the government, creating an environment in which freedom of expression and association can flourish, and establishing the rule of law.
At the present time, U.S. legislation enacted during the Mengistu regime is still in effect, restricting the type of assistance we can provide to Ethiopia. We are seeking the repeal of, or enactment of exception to, legislative restrictions on aid to Ethiopia. The U.S. no longer opposes loans and grants to Ethiopia by international financial institutions on human rights policy grounds.
As soon as we are legally able to do so, the United States will coordinate with the international donor community to provide development assistance to help Ethiopia during the transitional phase and over the long term, as long as it continues to progress in democracy and human rights.
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Ambassador Herman J. Cohen is Assistant Secretary for African Affairs at the United
States State Department. He was the mediator at the London Peace Conference
that was held in May.