Ethiopia: MCC Recognizes Opportunity for Democratic Reform (December 13, 2018)

In response to Ethiopia being selected for the Millennium Challenge Corporation’s
(MCC) threshold program, which assists countries to become eligible for substantial
MCC financial support, Freedom House issued the following statement:
“The MCC’s new focus on Ethiopia is a well-deserved acknowledgement of the
progress Ethiopia has made in opening political space, advancing freedom of
expression and promoting peace in the Horn of Africa region,” said Jon Temin,
director of Africa Programs at Freedom House. “The government of Ethiopia should
take this acknowledgement and the potential support that comes with it as an
opportunity to press ahead with additional essential reforms. In particular, the
government should accelerate adoption of the civil society organizations
proclamation, strengthen the rule of law, and address the root causes of longstanding ethnic unrest. Critically, the government should reaffirm its commitment
to a free and fair election in 2020 by rolling out a comprehensive electoral roadmap
agreed upon by all major political actors.”