The House of People's Representatives and the Civil Society Organizations sector continue to strengthen their efforts to work closely together for the common good of the country.

The House of People's Representatives, the Authority of Civil Society Organizations and the Ethiopian Civil Society Organizations Council have today had an in depth deliberations on issues that allow them to work together.

Speaking at the meeting held in Bishoftu town, the Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Law and Justice at the House of Representatives, HE Esgenet Mengestu, said that civil society organizations have an irreplaceable role in the construction of economic, social issues, justice and democracy. She added that the approval of the House of Peoples’ Representatives and its implementation has made it possible to solve many problems.

Director General of the Authority of Civil Society Organizations Jima Dilbo Denbel, said, "Unlike political parties and the business sector, civil society organizations play a significant role in the process of mobilizing and organizing society to ensure that citizens' rights are respected without compromising them." The Director General added that CSOs are expected to play a positive role in the success of the inclusive national consultation forum and transitional justice that has been started in our country so that lasting peace and strong institutions can be formed.

The President of the Ethiopian Civil Society Organizations Council, Dr. Nigussu Legesse, said, "Recently, the close cooperation of parliament and civil society organizations has become a key issue for democracy and development and it will greatly contribute to the realization of the prevailing democratic system.

Today's meeting between the House of Peoples Representatives, the Authority of Civil Society Organizations and the Ethiopian Civil Society Organizations Council aimed at consulting on ways of close and effective collaboration between the HPR and the CSO sector. The discussion platform was also ground for exploring ways in which further developments will be strengthened by having a deep discussions in regards to the relationship and partnership that the House of Representatives should have with the civil society sector.

The discussion platform was organized with the financial support of the European Union CSF 3.

The Ethiopian Civil Society Organizations Council (ECSOC) and the Authority of Civil Society Organizations (ACSO) have signed a tripartite memorandum of understanding that will enable them to work closely with the House of Federation (HoF).

The main objective of the agreement is to promote effective working relationship between the three institutions to promote democracy, rule of law, conflict resolution, peace building and human rights.

The tripartite agreement is believed to be crucial for the significant progress of the House of Federation and the civil society organizations sector.

In his speech following the signing ceremony, the Speaker of the HoF H.E. Agegnehew Teshager, stated the House of Federation is working with bodies that strive to ensure the interests of the people and the country, and working with civil society organizations is also part of its strategy.

Vice President of the Ethiopian Civil Society Organizations Council, Tinebeb Birhane, said, "Working together with the House of Federation Council is an encouraging step for the Civil Society Sector,” She added “The Ethiopian Civil Society Organizations Council will continue to strengthen its efforts to fulfill its responsibility for the implementation and effectiveness of this memorandum of understanding."

Director General of the Authority for Civil Society Organizations, Jima Dilbo Denbel, on his part, said that being able to sign the agreement to work together with the House of Federation, which has a great national responsibility, is one of the activities undertaken to create a comfortable environment for the civil society sector.

He underlined that the signing of the tripartite agreement to work together will take the CSO sector to a higher level.

The leadership of the three institutes and other invited guests have attended today’s MoU signing ceremony held here in Addis Abeba.

The Ethiopian Civil Society Organizations Council (ECSOC) and the African Leadership Excellence Academy (AFLEX) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding that will enable them to work closely together.

The two sides signed the document on Friday, May 19, 2023, at the end of a research forum attended by more than 150 representatives of local and foreign civil society organizations.

According to the MoU, the two institutions will work to cover the gap in civil society organizations in the field of leadership, leadership transition and other related issues through training.

The agreement was signed by Henok, Executive Director of ECSOC, and Hiwot Alemayhu, Vice Chief of AFLEX.

More than 150 representatives of local and foreign civil society organizations at the research forum held the African Leadership Excellence Academy in Sululta Oromia region discussed the gap in leadership transition in the civil society sector, the role of civil society organizations in transitional justice, the role and challenges of civil society organizations in Ethiopia's national Dialogue. Research articles on other related issues were also presented and discussed widely.

Today's platform is organized through the collaboration between the ECSOC and AFLEX.

The contribution and cooperation of civil society organizations are vital in order to ensure the effective provision of humanitarian aid support and development in the Tigray region.

This comes as the leadership of the Authority for Civil Society Organizations (ACSO) and the Ethiopian Civil Society Organizations Council (ECSOC) made a two-day-long working visit to the Tigray region. The two bodies held a consultation with representatives of various civil society organizations in the region. The event was a platform for deliberations on how civil society organizations can fulfill their responsibilities to society within the necessary legal framework, and the challenges being faced with regard to efforts being made to restore the CSOs to their previous working statuses. Deliberations were also made in terms of possible solutions for the challenges being faced.

During their visit to Tigray, the Director General of the Authority, Jima Dilbo Denbel, and the Executive Director of the Council, Henok Melesse, also met with members of the Interim Administration of Tigray Regional State. During their talks, emphasis was made on the irreplaceable role of civil society organizations in the provision of humanitarian aid, democratization, and peacebuilding. On behalf of the interim administration of the region, General Tsadqan Gebregziabher said that civil society organizations need favorable conditions and an undeterred civic environment for their important work to be effective. He has also called on CSOs to continue their efforts in providing humanitarian support, peacebuilding, and development.

Similarly, the leadership of ECSOC and ACSO also visited the Sabakari Center for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) as well as IDPs taking shelter in a school compound. The two have acknowledged that there is still more work to be done in the provision of urgent humanitarian assistance and rehabilitation work

The contribution and cooperation of civil society organizations is vital in order to ensure effective provision of humanitarian aid support and development in the Tigray region.

This comes as the leadership of the Authority for Civil Society Organizations (ACSO) and the Ethiopian Civil Society Organizations Council (ECSOC) made a two-day-long working visit to Tigray region. The two bodies held a consultation with representatives of various civil society organizations in the region. The event was a platform for deliberations on how civil society organizations can fulfill their responsibilities to the society within the necessary legal framework, and the challenges being faced with regards to efforts being made to restore the CSOs to their previous working statuses. Deliberations were also made in terms of possible solutions for the challenges being faced.

During their visit to Tigray, Director General of the Authority, Jima Dilbo Denbel, and Executive Director of the Council, Henok Melesse, also met with members of the Interim Administration of Tigray Regional State. During their talks emphasis was made on the irreplaceable role of civil society organizations in the provision of humanitarian aid, democratization, and peace building. On behalf of the interim administration of the region, General Tsadqan Gebregziabher said that civil society organizations need favorable conditions and an undeterred civic environment for their important work to be effective. He has also called on CSOs to continue their efforts in providing humanitarian support, peace building and development.

Similarly, the leadership of ECSOC and ACSO also visited the Sabakari center for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) as well as IDPs taking shelter in a school compound. The two have acknowledged that there is still more work to be done in provision of urgent humanitarian assistance and rehabilitation work.