Addis Ababa, December 10, 2025 (FMC) — Deputy Prime Minister Temesgen Tiruneh said Ethiopia is registering major national achievements as the principles of the “Medemer State,” a governance philosophy introduced by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, continue to guide efforts to eliminate institutional corruption.
Speaking at the 22nd International Anti-Corruption Day commemorated at the Adwa Victory Memorial under the theme “The Generation with Morality, The Institution with Procedure,” Temesgen emphasized that corruption arises from moral decline and institutional weakness.
He noted that Ethiopia has been working to tackle corruption for the past two decades through various legal and institutional reforms.
Since the beginning of the national reform agenda, he stated, extensive mobilization efforts have been made, including the establishment of the National Anti-Corruption Committee to assess corruption trends, raise awareness, and recommend sustainable solutions.
He also stressed that corruption has been treated as a national red line, an urgent threat to the country’s prosperity, and that the government has intensified efforts to root it out wherever it appears.
According to the Deputy Prime Minister, the country’s recent achievements demonstrate the Prosperity Government’s firm stance against corruption. He highlighted that reformed institutions are now combating malpractice more effectively through strengthened transparency and accountability mechanisms.
Deputy PM Temesgen cited the successful completion of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), the transformation of previously loss-making development organizations into profitable entities, reductions in budget deficits, and improved tax compliance.
He said these outcomes have contributed to various national awards, reflecting progress in addressing state-level corruption.
On strengthening legal frameworks, Mr. Temesgen stated that the previously flawed Asset Recovery Proclamation has been revised to enable the recovery of public wealth embezzled through corruption and other crimes.
He added that sweeping changes have been undertaken across justice institutions to support accountability. He further noted that new public service delivery mechanisms, such as the “Mesob One-Stop Center,” have been introduced to prevent corruption by enhancing transparency and improving service efficiency. In addition, a secure digital whistleblower platform has been launched to allow citizens to report misconduct safely and anonymously.
DPM Temesgen stressed that lasting solutions go beyond reforms, relying on three essential pillars: raising a generation grounded in ethics and integrity, protecting institutional systems from manipulation, and enforcing the rule of law without compromise.
He said corruption, which had become institutional and risked leading the country toward destruction, has been curtailed through strong struggle and collective action.
He concluded by urging collective commitment from all stakeholders to build the morality of the generation, modernize institutional procedures, and uphold the rule of law in corruption-related crimes. “Corruption has no place in the New Ethiopia we are building,” he said, underscoring that the fight will continue until fully accomplished.