Unity for Democracy and Justice (UDJ), one of the members of Ethiopia’s major opposition alliance, commonly known as Medrek, is once again engulfed in intraparty squabbles that is threatening to bring down the alliance itself just a few weeks ahead of the general elections next month.
Yesterday, a faction of UDJ led by Prof. Mesfin Woldemariam, held a meeting in Addis Ababa and elected him vice-chairman of the party, dismissing the other executive committee members. (click here to read the press release)
Such an ugly display of infighting only serves to empower the Woyanne junta. If Medrek becomes a powerful alliance, Woyanne will simply order the election commission to give legal status to the faction led by Prof. Mesfin, pulling the rug from under Medrek. It is an opposition alliance that is on a very short leash held by Woyanne.
Medrek is composed of UDJ, Oromo Federal Democratic Movement (OFDM), Arena Tigray for Democracy and Sovereignty (ARENA), Ethiopian Democratic Unity Movement (EDUM), Oromo People’s Congress (OPC), Somali Democratic Alliance Forces (SDAF), and United Ethiopian Democratic Forces (UEDF).
Medrek top officials, Ato Seye Abraha, Dr Negaso Gidada, Ato Gizachew Shiferraw and Ato Gebru Asrat, are currently touring the U.S. This past weekend they held town hall meetings in Atlanta, Dallas and Washington DC. Last week they were in Seattle. The turn outs were relatively high, and in Atlanta, particularly, they were received warmly. In Washington DC and Seattle, the delegates have faced though questions and criticism from the audience.
The election next month has a predetermined outcome where Meles Zenawi and the Woyanne tribal junta will be declared winners by the fake election commission.
14 thoughts on “Opposition alliance MEDREK faces internal crisis ahead of election”
Look how shortsighted these people are. The government knows that Medrek is by any means the winner in Addis Ababa and main cities in the upcoming election and once they recognise this fake UDJ it is over. I am sorry for those who joined the ever untrusted people as coalition. “Kagam yetega kulkual hidime likun yaleksal!” This best describes us.
Chaw
I am mad at this the so called Pro. Mesfin Weldemariam. Min ayinet mikegna shmagile new?
I think it is time to tell this old guy the so called “Professor” rest in peace. It was because of people like Mesfin W/Mariam the tremendous achievements of the opposition in the previous election were lost. If he and the Engineer showed a little political maturity and took the Addis Municipality and allow elected members to join the parlament, opposition parties could have a different perspective in this election. Now once again he is about to destroy some political gaina that MEDREK started to gain within and outside our country. Professor I beg you in the name of our beloved country and much suffered people of Ethiopia to retire in peace from politics. Sorry to say this, but you have proved to us that you are not a mature political person to lead UNITY party of Birtukan!!!
Let God bless Ethiopia!
Kewle
Woyzendro – I think you missed the whole point here. What Amharas has to do with this? I don’t even think that this crooked professor is an Amhara. Please let’s stop judging people due to their etnic background. Look at Seye and Meles – commrades from the same party and etnic group, but totally a different personality!
Let God bless Ethiopia
Kewle
I have known the Professor for the last 40 years. To put it mildly he has always been the most controversial person. During his tenure at Haile Selassie University (the current Addis Ababa University) he has always been, one way or another, opposed to the Ethiopian Students Movement or no positive contribution except criticizing everybody. He was simply at odds with many of the then scholars including Drs. Eshetu Chole, Assefa etc.
One contemporarey of his told me he is a man with no integrity – his arguments are always very destructive and “Oh yes” very Power Hungry – A critic simply to promote his ego. I don’t know where this “great Professor” label came from…. maybe good enough to satify his insatiable ego but that is far from the truth!
To fill his power thirst the emperor gave him a position of District Administrator (Awraja Geji). He was then tested and labeled as a man who can talk but with no substance and he returned to the University. Again during the tenure of the Dergue, he assumed “Mermari Commission” position and got very close to Mengistu – by condemning intellectuals who dwarfed his ego and to win favor from Mengistu. Because of his lack of integrity, Mengistu also denied him a position of power. BTW he was very close to Mengistu!!!
He is a very bitter man whose chauvinistic statements against Oromos, Somalis and all other non-amara ethnic group is well documented.
It is this man who is now trying to put down our rising star leader Dr Berhanu Nega.
Could this be his chauvinistic awakening???
I have known the Professor for the last 35 years. To put it mildly he has always been the most controversial person. During his tenure at Haile Selassie University (the current Addis Ababa University) he has always been, one way or another, opposed to the Ethiopian Students Movement or no positive contribution except criticizing everybody. He was simply at odds with many of the then scholars including Drs. Eshetu Chole, Assefa etc. One contemporarey of his told me he is a man with no integrity – his arguments are always very destructive and “Oh yes” very Power Hungry – A critic simply to promote his ego. I don’t know where this “great Professor” label came from…. maybe good enough to satify his insatiable ego but that is far from the truth!
To fill his power thirst the emperor gave him a position of District Administrator (Awraja Geji). He was then tested and labeled as a man who can talk but with no substance and he returned to the University. Again during the tenure of the Dergue, he assumed “Mermari Commission” position and got very close to Mengistu – by condemning intellectuals who dwarfed his ego and to win favor from Mengistu. Because of his lack of integrity, Mengistu also denied him a position of power. BTW he was very close to Mengistu!!!
He is a very bitter man whose chauvinistic statements against Oromos, Somalis and all other non-amara ethnic group is well documented.
It is this man who is now trying to put down our rising star leader Dr Berhanu Nega.
Could this be his chauvinistic awakening???
Professor Mesfin’s erratic behavior or his unscrupulous attitude does not reflect the character of Amharas. He does represent himself and his belief is his own, so it is not fare to blame Amharas, because of this failed Lucifer.
Some narrow elements use his erratic behavior to blame Amhara, which is very retarded and impolitic.
Blaming Amhara for everything does not make the condition better but makes worst, so instead of associating his action to Amhara and blame the blameless it would be better to hold accountable the individual.
It is understandable that Amharaphobics use everything to accuse Amhara and devalue it contribution as a people, but the truth would not be hidden despite the Amharaphobics baseless and hateful propaganda.
I think we should have upper age limit to avoid wearing out brains. While registration of parties for election has already ended, what is the hidden reason and motto of conducting such acts? Where have they been until now? It is a recent phenomenon that legally formed parties have been denied or faced confrontation from the government having a meeting in town. How, then, did these crooked people win the confidence of the government? I think the ruling party is cooking something to create chaotic situation during or post election.
Birtukan is in jail because the government wanted the oppositions to boycott this election. I admire those engaged in this election without fearing all kids of intimidation from the government. God Bless Ethiopia
Woyanes have done it before and they will do it again to dismantle the opposition parties. The blame should go only to Woyanes.
Once again, what do Ahmaras have to do with this mess? Those who believe that Haile Selassaie and Mengestu are Amharas are showing their ignorance. Even if they were 100% Amharas, they were much better than the current monkey face who hates Ethiopia and Ethiopians. Please check your facts before you open your racist mouths and blame Amharas for everything. My poor Amhara relatives have been straggling for years and never gotten special treatments or assistance from Haile, Mengestu and Meles. Amharas have lost more lives, homes and land under Meles than any other ethnic group. So, stop barking on the wrong tree and make Amharas a scapegoat. I am sick of it!
Those who are participating in this election have nothing to be admired.As long as they are doing their work as they are told to do they have nothing to be afraid of.They are simply shameless creatures.
I read all comments and all are baseless accusation about Prof. Mesfin. Before take any side, we should inform ourselves what did really happen between Prof. Mesfin and Eng. Gizachew. I just mentioned those 2 names as each represents a group.
Eng. Gzachew’s group
1) “Takes disciplinary action” against Prof. Mesfin and his group
2)Chanes UDJ’s bylaw
3) Elects Dr. Negasso and Siye in UDJ’s unconstitutional way
4) Ignores a call by elders to make peace between the two groups
5) Do not priories Birtukan’s release
6) It joins Medrek without a clear understanding
7) It compromises a core principle of the party which is “Individual’s freedom must come before a group freedom”
Never the less, what Prof. Mesfin doing at this “election time” is unacceptable. I used quotation mar to express the meaningless election..
Selam
ተመሳሳይ ስራ ለቡዙ አመት ሲሰሩ ከነበሩ ሰዎች የተለየ ዉጤት መጠበቁ የዋህነት ነው የትዉልድ ለዉጥ ያስፈልጋል don’t expect different result from the same people generational change is important
Do you guys still think Medrek or anyother party, can win this election. I don’t know you have a clear picture of what is going on down here. woyane is making all efferts to cut opposition parties with the people including propagandas and mersenderis whose mission is to create unrest in the opposition camp. But unfortunately we have oppositions who cannot learn from the past accounts. Look what Andinet officials is doing, why they prefer to be partnered with those gusy whom they had no any good reputation in Ethiopian politics but destruction policy. Look what Dr. Negasso was saying while his recent travel abroad, but I don’t what revealation he got!, he suddenly became preacher of unit. I know there is some consipiracy going on behind.
Shame on you! those who betraid the people trust and struggle for freedom.
I don’t say anything about what Prof. Mesfin is doing but I don’t care about the consequence for the fact that the UDJ leaders don’t know what they are doing among those guys we slaughtered the Ethiopian people during their time.
Long live Ethiopia!
Long Live Birtukan!
The professor has been around for a very long time. More so, he is not acting alone.
More than that it scares me how a character like Seye can rise so quickly to a position of prominence. Everybody knows his history yet he manages to get this far. To me it is easier to believe that he is telling us what we want to hear rather than believing he is a truly changed man.
In my opinion it is better to not participate at all in this election rather than risk passing power to the likes of known criminals like Seye and Negaso.