The Role of Non Governmental Organizations in the Democratization Process of Ethiopia, A Historical Survey

International NGOs deep rooted in Ethiopia during the 1973-74 and 1984-85 catastrophic famine. During the Imperial (1930-1974) and Derg (1974-1991) regimes, NGOs were not allowed to participate in the democratization process of the country because of the restrictive laws and policies of the then governments on the non-state actors. As a result, NGOs during the time were mainly involved in relief activities under the close supervision of the governments. After 1991 the number and activity of national and international NGOs on the development and democratic building of the country has been increased. This is mainly because of the policies and laws on NGOs were somewhat better than the Imperial and Derg times. But after the 2005 election because of different factors the relationship between NGOs and government reach at its fronting point. As a result, government issued the 2009 charities and societies proclamations, which restrict foreign and foreign based NGOs in Ethiopia from involving on advocacy of Human right and Democracy.