Authority Orders CSOs To Register Assets Before November Deadline

The Authority for Civil Society Organizations has ordered domestic and international CSOs to register their assets in its system by the end of November as officials at the Ministry of Justice prepare to push through an amended CSO proclamation that observers warn will further restrict Ethiopia’s already narrow civil society sector.

In a letter issued on October 29, 2025, the Authority instructed no less than 100 domestic and international civil society organizations to register their assets with its offices before November 23.

Among the organizations cited in the notice are Mekedonia, Deborah Foundation, the Ethiopian Orthodox Church Development and Christian Aid Commission, Catholic Aid, Full Gospel Believers Development Commission, and the Amhara Development Association.

The letter, signed by Deputy Director Fasikaw Molla, emphasized that CSOs have the legal right to own, manage, and transfer assets under the Civil Society Organization Proclamation.

However, it states that the Authority is also mandated to monitor and regulate these organizations, which includes maintaining a record of their assets to ensure that public resources are used for their intended social purposes.

The Authority argues that the lack of comprehensive data on the resources within the civil society sector necessitated this registration initiative.

“Gathering accurate information will enable the Authority to strengthen transparency and accountability in the sector,” it reads.

Meskelu Menberu, head of fund and asset management at the Authority, told The Reporter that the registration process will proceed in phases, with the largest CSOs expected to declare their assets in the first phase.

While CSOs are already required to report their activities, financial records, and asset registry annually under the provisions of the CSO proclamation, Meskelu says there is a need to compile more in-depth information than the details provided in the annual report.

“We’re focusing on CSOs with [greater] capacity first,” he said, citing that 30 local CSOs and 70 international organizations are obliged to register their assets by next month.

An additional 100 CSOs will be expected to register before the end of the fiscal year, according to Meskelu.

The first batch of CSOs are expected to verify their assets and submit the information to the Authority via email before the deadline in three weeks’ time.

Meanwhile, officials at the Ministry of Justice are busy drafting an amendment to the CSO proclamation, which was only ratified by Parliament six years ago. Sources say they seek to revise a dozen key articles concerning registration procedures, daily operations, accounting and reporting standards, and administrative measures.

Officials at the Authority and the Ministry claim the revisions are necessary to enhance regulatory efficiency and ensure that CSOs operate in alignment with national legal and financial accountability frameworks.

However,  the proposed amendment follows more than a year of heightened government pressure on CSOs in Ethiopia, which has prompted international watchdogs and domestic observers alike to raise the alarm over what they see as an increasingly narrow civic space in the country.

In July 2024, the Authority announced its decision to revoke more than 1,500 CSO licenses for failure to meet new criteria and guidelines for registration. Less than six months later,  it suspended three prominent organizations—the Association for Human Rights in Ethiopia (AHRE), the Centre for Advancement of Rights and Democracy (CARD), and Lawyers for Human Rights (LHR)—for “lacking political neutrality.”

Two months ago, Amnesty International cautioned that “repressive” provisions in the draft amendment from the Justice Ministry could further constrict the country’s civic space.

Among them is a provision that would effectively end self-governance by allowing the government to hold a majority on the boards of CSOs. A statement issued by the watchdog also warns against provisions restricting funding for political advocacy and election monitoring, and granting the Authority the power to suspend or deny CSO registration.