External assistance is an asset because those international institutions who advocate peace, stability, democratization, good governance and developmental endeavors by and large possess ample experience and expertise in those productive endeavors because they themselves have gone through difficult times in achieving those important principles. Therefore, their assistance to nations with less experience if and when undertaken with sincerity can be regarded as a noble transfer of knowledge-based expertise and that is certainly vital in achieving sustainable development. It should again be noted however, that foreign partners are not the sole advocates and sole representatives of those civilized values and norms because less developed nations have maintained similar values in their traditional way for generations. However, these traditional values acquired for generations have unfortunately been eroded, ignored, damaged or destroyed because of variety of reasons such as the following.

One of the reasons is the prevalence of internal despotic and dictatorial regimes that did not have any respect for the existence of traditional values and norms. Another reason is the legacy of colonialism, neo-colonialism and cultural dominations. Although most of the traditional and/cultural methods of conflict resolution are gone, few remain and continue to help in resolving disputes among the public at large. The values given to traditional elderly in Somaliland is a good example. Therefore, using both the conventional as well as the unconventional ways and means of dialogue is useful. Further more, using both the experience of the international community and that of the indigenous wisdom is instrumental in advancing democratization and good governance in a country.

  It should be noted that some genuine developed nations want to help less developed nations in their efforts and aspirations to advance those valid values and standards in order to build free and democratic nations. It should also be noted however that depending on foreign expertise and experiences alone will not and can not be the sole remedy for the problems encountered by less developed nations during elections.

All avenues of democracy, peace and development initiatives from within must therefore be explored and using indigenous capacities and potentials prior to asking for external assistance or for foreign initiatives. This means that domestic capacities and/or potential must always take precedence to the external ones. Developing nations want partners, not masters that will order them to do this or that. Instead, they want cooperative and collaborative partnership on development.   

The previous elections in Ethiopia witnessed the involvement of different international governmental as well as non-governmental observers from North America, Europe and elsewhere. In fact, it is widely believed that foreign governments had too much involvement during the previous elections. This was done deliberately to assure citizens and foreign partners about the government’s commitment to make the election free, fair and democratic. Amongst them, the Carter Centre was very prominent.

Others were also helpful in sharing their international experience regarding the electoral process. However, the main task always lies on the Electoral Board. This indigenous body has the sole responsibility to run the election and look after any discrepancies that might occur during the course of the election period. Whereas this indigenous legal board takes all responsibilities, the assistance it gets from the international community such as those mentioned can help if it is done genuinely and with no strings attached. However, if on the other hand, their need and/or service is not necessary, the electoral board can always ignore whatever advice and/or assistance they may offer. In other words, it is the prerogative of the electoral board to accept or reject their offer.

Therefore, external assistance remains to be simply a supportive hand to domestic initiatives. It is important to note therefore, that in time of misunderstandings between and among competing parties, the initiative for dialogue, conflict resolution or any other depute resolution must emanate primarily from within i.e. the parties themselves and not international observers. In other words, indigenous people must do their home works by themselves before they ask for a tutor from abroad. The tutor can only be sought if he/or she is asked to help and not volunteer herself or himself before he/or she is asked. In other words, international institutions such as those mentioned can share their professional expertise and provide their advice within their capacities but they can not impose their beliefs and guiding principles upon the indigenous wisdom of resolving problems.