Topic: 2025 – Authoritarianism and Democracy
Country: Ethiopia
Delegate Name: Hannah Elbaz
Ethiopia recognises that authoritarianism is a growing phenomenon worldwide. According to undp.org future of development, “Satisfaction with democracy has fallen [6] in most parts of the world. Some 52% of people across 77 countries agreed that having a strong leader [7] unbeholden to legislatures or elections is a good thing (compared to 38% in 2009).” The debate between democracy and authoritarianism is deeply connected to questions of security, state-building, and development.
Ethiopia is a long-established independent nation and, like many nations, has undergone significant political and socio-economic changes, including democratic reform, expanded political participation, and constitutional changes and commitments. Ethiopia believes that political models, such as democracy, cannot be imposed externally, and each state must be allowed to pursue governance systems that reflect its historical, cultural, and security context. (democracy needs to be tailored to the needs of all countries that wish to practice democracy.) While committed to democratic development, Ethiopia believes that stability and sovereignty are prerequisites for sustainable democracy. (A strong base is needed first before we implement democratic systems.)
These measures should be taken before promoting democracy because, according to the Carnegie Foundation, “Addressing the governance deficit by building up the capacity of administrative agencies is the most promising focus for helping…forward.” Countries as such need institutional structure and strengthening. e.g. independent judiciary, professional civil service, etc., along with economic integration and development. It’s also important that we pay attention to a country’s historical and cultural context and how democracy will affect such things. For this will help benefit the country, keeping it sustainable, relevant and legitimate. As well as the continuation of preserving and adding to the culture.
Ethiopia has already taken several steps to ensure reform and progress in the near future, including expanding multiparty participation, reforming media laws, strengthening the national election board of Ethiopia, and engaging in national dialogue. Some challenges remain, and we acknowledge them, but we emphasise that progress is ongoing and must be supported by the international community. Ethiopia supports resolutions in SPECPOL that promote balance, sovereign-respecting democratisation, such as strengthening state capacity, economic development as a foundation, non-interference, and respect for sovereignty.
Ethiopia truly believes democracy is a long-term process. SPECPOL must promote governance systems that reflect the will and context of each nation. Ethiopia stands ready to collaborate with other members to support peace, build resilience, and support inclusive political development.
Works Cited
Human Rights Watch | Defending Human Rights Worldwide, https://www.hrw.org/. Accessed 20 November 2025.
Carnegie Foundation. “African Priorities: Democracy isn’t the Place to Start.” Carnegieendowment.org, Carnegie Foundation, 23 May 2023, https://carnegieendowment.org/posts/2003/05/african-priorities-democracy-isnt-the-place-to-start?lang=en. Accessed 20 November 2025.
“Chapter 27, Section 1. Understanding Culture and Diversity in Building Communities – Main Section | Community Tool Box.” Community Tool Box, https://ctb.ku.edu/en/table-of-contents/culture/cultural-competence/culture-and-diversity/main. Accessed 20 November 2025.
He, Jiacheng, and School of International Studies, Renmin University of China, Beijing, China. “The Patterns of Democracy in the Context of Historical Political Science.” springer.com, 8 January 2022, https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s41111-021-00201-5#citeas. Accessed 20 November 2025.
Herre, Bastian. “The ‘Regimes of the World’ data: how do researchers measure democracy?” Our World in Data, 2 December 2021, https://ourworldindata.org/regimes-of-the-world-data. Accessed 20 November 2025.
“Human rights in Ethiopia: Amnesty International.” Amnesty International, https://www.amnesty.org/en/location/africa/east-africa-the-horn-and-great-lakes/ethiopia/. Accessed 20 November 2025.
“When democracies autocratise.” United Nations Development Programme, https://www.undp.org/future-development/signals-spotlight-2023/when-democracies-autocratise. Accessed 20 November 2025.
