Ethiopia Making Steady Progress Toward Democratization, Says Political Analyst

Addis Ababa, July 18, 2026 (ENA) — Ethiopia is making meaningful progress toward democratization through successive elections and an inclusive national dialogue, according to international political analyst McDonald Lewanika.

Lewanika, Executive Director of Accountability Lab East and Southern Africa, made the remarks to ENA after participating in the Parliamentary Intelligence-Security Forum held in Addis Ababa.

Reflecting on Ethiopia's recent political developments, he described the completion of the country's seventh general election as an important milestone.

 "I think it's a good thing that Ethiopia has just completed its seventh round of elections," Lewanika said. "When we talk about democratization and elections themselves, it is a practice that is open to continuous improvement. The only way to ensure continuous improvement is by conducting the elections in the first place."

He acknowledged that elections are rarely perfect but emphasized that holding them regularly strengthens democratic institutions.

"They may not be perfect, there may be misgivings, but the fact that they have taken place, I think, is definitely a good thing," he noted. "And that some people from the opposition will be represented in the parliament, I think, is a very good thing."

Lewanika stressed that democracy should be viewed as an ongoing process rather than a final destination. "Democracy itself is not a destination. It is a continuous process," he explained. "It is a verb, which means it is a doing. It is not just a name of a thing. It is something that comes out through what we do."

He added that elections must be complemented by sustained civic engagement and inclusive national dialogue, allowing citizens and political actors to address national challenges through peaceful means.

"While there may be misgivings, while there are challenges in elections everywhere, I think it is a commendable thing that the people of Ethiopia can come together and say, 'Let us talk about our challenges and try to find a resolution to these challenges together,' not only as Africans, but as Ethiopians," he stated.

Placing Ethiopia's experience within a broader continental context, Lewanika noted that Africa already possesses sound democratic frameworks.

"When you look at the continental standards, we have them," he said. "The African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance and the SADC protocols on democratic governance are all solid pieces of guidance for countries on the African continent. A lot of work still needs to be done where free and fair elections are concerned on the continent."

He concluded that Ethiopia's ongoing elections and national dialogue provide a solid foundation for strengthening democratic governance through continuous reform and inclusive participation.