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Ethiopian parliament passes legislation on disclosure of assets of public Office Holders
By Simegnish Yekoye
ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia – The Ethiopian Parliament has come up with a new proclamation that will make asset registrations and disclosure of financial interests mandatory to those holding public offices.
The new law under the title of ‘Disclosure and Registration of Assets proclamation’ obliges those holding public office to disclose and register their assets under their ownership or in their families in addition to their sources of his income and those of their families.
However, according to the new law, common property acquired through inheritance and held by the heirs for private use, household goods and personal effects and pension benefits are exempted from registration.
“Not only assets of government officials but also of political parties should be registered,” said Abdurahman Ahmedin, parliament representative of Ethiopian Unity Democratic Party (EUDP)- Medhin.
Also Temesgen Zewede, Parliament member also added the law should also oblige registration of assets of political parties and business people as well.
The new law states, any appointee, elected person or public servant shall disclose and register their assets within 180 days from the effective date of the proclamation and those newly appointed shall disclose and register their assets within 45 days following their appointment, election or employment.
“180 days is too long that some officials might gain time to hide some of their assets,” Abdurahman argued.
Stressing that he has been telling the parliament such law needs to be drafted for long time, Bulcha Demekesa, parliament representative of Oromo Federalist Democratic Movement (OFDM), said that assets of government officials should also be traced back and cross checked.
The new law that was presented to the parliament early this week puts all information regarding the registration of assets of an appointee, elected person or a public servant shall be open to the public. However, registered family assets will be confidential unless disclosure is required in the interest of justice or for other purposes to be determined by the commission responsible for registration.
Any assets of government officials not registered in accordance with this new proclamation, in the absence of proof to the contrary are considered as an unexplained property for the purpose of applying the provisions of the criminal code.
The law also puts post employment limitation that any government official may not take up any benefit ensuing work from persons whom he used to control, until two years after leaving office.
According to the new proclamation that is sent to the Parliament’s legal and administration standing committee for further analysis also states any individual can file whistle-blowing against any government official for breaching this proclamation and will be entitled be 25% of the proceeds of the confiscated assets.