ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The APRM Panel of Eminent Persons is proud to produce the 14th in the series of Country Review Report, this time on the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia. The APR Panel wishes to thank His Excellency, Meles Zenawi, Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and Chairperson of the APR Forum for his unwavering commitment to the APRM process since its inception. The Panel would also like to thank the 23-member APRM National Governing Council chaired by H.E. Tefera Waluwa, Minister of Capacity Building, as well as the Regional Governing Councils which undertook the country self-assessment process. Our gratitude equally goes to Mr. Neway Gebreab, APR Focal Point for Ethiopia and his staff for facilitating the Country Review Mission. The APR Panel extends its gratitude to all the stakeholders who interacted with the Country Review Mission. These included representatives and officials of various institutions with a bearing on governance, including the Cabinet, the Judiciary and the Attorney General, the Ethiopian General Assembly, Internal Revenue Authority, Auditor General, the Central Bank, and the Anti-Corruption Body. We further thank the non-state stakeholder groups, including private sector representatives, civil society organisations, women’s groups, and political parties, whose representatives also met with the CRM. The Panel further extends its gratitude to various stakeholders who played a critical role in raising awareness about the APRM process in Ethiopia. Specific mention should also be made of the role played by the country’s media and various civil society organisations. Above all, we are grateful to the people of Ethiopia for their effective participation in the sessions organised for the review mission. The Panel is thankful to Barrister Akere Muna for completing the process following the reorganisation of the APR Panel. Professor Adebayo Adedeji, the erstwhile Lead Panellist for Ethiopia led the Ethiopia Country Review Process with a strong sense of commitment, diligence, expertise and utmost calmness that have been the hallmarks of his distinguished and illustrious career as an international civil servant. Prof. Adedeji used his deep knowledge of the country to ensure a successful review process. The APR Panel is also grateful to the team of consultants who undertook the Ethiopia Country Review Mission. This team of outstanding consultants, with impressive credentials and glowing track records, included H.E. Professor Amos Sawyer who has since January 2010 been appointed to serve as a Panel Member; Prof. Oluyele Akinkugbe; Dr. Mohamed En Naceur Bourenane; Dr. Francis Chigunta; Dr. Bernard Z. Dasah; Professor L. Adele Jinadu; Mrs. Fatima Karadja; Justice Joseph N. Mulenga; Dr. Makha D. Sarr; and Ms. Gertrude Takawira. The Panel is also grateful to Advocate Mumba S. Kapumpa who represented the African Development Bank (AfDB), one of the APRM Partner Institution. Finally, the APR Panel acknowledges the assistance provided by Dr. Afeikhena Jerome and Mr. Ferdinand Katendeko both of the APRM Secretariat who coordinated the entire review process. -4-