Sep 29, 2005 – Addis Ababa
EPRDF at present has either stopped believing in or does not wish to think about peace or to talk about peace or good governance, or the right of citizens to freely deliberate and decide on their shared problems. Otherwise there would not have been so much disruption, fear and turmoil in the lives of citizens in all corners of our country. Moral and ethical judgment in our lives seems to be suspended indefinitely. We have provided you–the press, the public and all other interested parties–with ample evidence of the recent harassment and illegal imprisonment of our party officials and supporters and the closure of our party offices allover the country. (see the attached document)
Unfortunately, EPRDF officials, including the Prime Minster, are telling us that more of this is awaiting the country and the leadership of our parties, with merciless use of the might and force of our own government. The pretexts for this call to mutual destruction, we hear, are two unwarranted accusations. The first is that we are unconstitutional. The fact is we are both duly constituted, legal political parties that contested for government power. With regard to the May 2005 election, we protested that the election was not free and fair and the international, government invited, election observation teams’ reports have in due course vindicated us. The second thing the ruling party says about us is that we are intent on overthrowing the government by force. We have never ever said or written in any form to indicate such an intention. On the contrary, we have untiringly repeated. That hat we would use only legal and peaceful means to promote our political ends.
What is it that UEDF and CUD want? It is very simple and straightforward. We want a peaceful, fair and just solution to the May 2005 election irregularities and to the political impasse it has created. We have also responsibly indicated that we are ready to talk to the ruling party officials without any precondition. Furthermore, we have responsibly put forward A PROPOSAL TO SOLVE THE CURRENT POLITICAL IMPASSE IN ETHIOPIA, a framework, which we believe can serve as an agenda for our roundtable discussion. The crucial points included in our proposal. can be summarized as follows.
. That all military and paramilitary forces be moved away from the day to day life situation of ordinary citizens,
. That all anti-constitutional laws that were passed in the post-May 2005 election period be changed,
. That the judiciary and the police be independent of the other branches of government in their execution of their obligations,
. That media be governed by a truly independent board and be open to the various views and beliefs of Ethiopians,
. That the National Electoral Board is governed by a newly elected, independent and free body.
The suggested interim political arrangement, in the form of National Unity Government, is again simply a way to concretely ensure the institutional backing for the implementation of the above-enumerated wishes of our parties. Incidentally, please note that all of the above points are in one from or another enshrined in the Constitution of the country. Again, if we revert to calling the people to show us their support for our proposal through peaceful demonstration, like the one we have called for Sunday, October 2, 2005, it is because EPRDF is adamant and not responsive. Instead, we hear from some of the leadership of the ruling party, that the above peaceful proposal is characterized as being subversive and anti constitutional. We have been denied, for various kinds of lame administrative excuses, our constitutional rights for voicing our concerns in public.
The ruling party continues to be belligerent in its dictatorial ways and suppressing all alternative ways by the use of force and “administrative legal” means. We honestly believe that EPRDF also should ask itself what it really wants and what it legally can get that is legitimate and acceptable by the people. Most of all the members of the ruling party should be able to talk to their counterparts in the opposition and negotiate in good faith. This is a necessary condition not only for overcoming the present predicament but also fro ruling with any extent of success if they were to stay in power until the next election period. Rule by brute force is passé, not just for us but also for every country that wants to live in peace with itself, with its neighbors and with the rest of the world. We call upon the government to act as a government, to demonstrate the sense of responsibility and to provide the kind of leadership that is required by the Present circumstances.
CUDP and UEDF
September 29,2005
Addis Ababa
The newly transformed Coalition for Unity & Democracy (CUD) elected it top leaders today. The chairman and vice chairman positions, as expected, were filled by Ato Hailu Shawel and Ato Lidetu Ayalew, respectively. The two other positions, however, were big surprises. Wzt. Birtukan Mideksa, who was elected today as the 1st vice chairman, is a young lawyer who also briefly served as a judge. The secretary, Ato Muluneh Eyuel, is known to be a bright young economist.
The party’s 20-member executive committee and 60-member central committee also took over their responsibilities from the 16-member council. As of today, CUD has been transformed from a coalition of four parties into a unitary party.
The following are members of the newly formed CUD Executive Committee:
Chairman: Ato Hailu Shawel
1st Vice Chairman: Wzr. Birtukan Mideksa
Vice Chairman: Ato Lidetu Ayalew
Secretary: Ato Muluneh Eyuel
Members:
Ato Abayneh Birhanu
Ato Abdurahman Ahmedin
Ato Akalu Gergrie
Dr. Alemayehu Reta
Dr. Befikadu Degifie
Dr. Dibaba Amensisa
Ato Elala Tezera
Shaleqa Getachew Mengistu
Ato Gizachew Shiferaw
Wro Leniesil ASfaw
Ato Lidetu Ayalew
Ato Mesfin Ayalew
Dr. Mulalem Tarekegn
Ato Mushie Semu
Ato Seleshi Tena
Dr. Shimelis Tekletsdik
Dr. Yacob Hailemariam
Sep 22, 2005
Ethiopian Review
The UEDP-Medhin General Assembly, which was concluded yesterday (Sep 21), elected the following 18 individuals who will be members of the CUD central committee that will be formed on Sep 24.
Ato Lidetu Ayalew
Dr Mulualem Tarekegn
Dr Admasu Gebeyehu
Dr Hailu Araya
Ato Mushe Semu
Ato Abdurhaman Ahmedin
Ato Goshu Awdew
Ato Andualem Aragie
Wzr. Lakech Degefu
Ato Wondewoson Teshome
Ato Mesfin Ayalew
Dr Mikiyas Abayneh
Dr Bezabeh Demissie
Ato Tamerat Tarekegn
Wzr Kuri Debele
Ato Kifle Tegineh
Ato Endale Gebrehewet
Ato Mulugeta Wendmagegn
Ethiopian Review Editorial
September 21, 2005
On May 15, 2005, the overwhelming majority of registered voters in Ethiopia voted for CUD. It was a vote of confidence for the coalition, particularly for AEUP and UEDP-Medhin, since the two received the largest vote by far. As it has been confirmed by the Carter Center and EU’s reports, the ruling party claimed victory by committing various forms of vote fraud. When students attempted to peacefully stage a demonstration to protest the rigged elections, the ruling party deployed its military force and savagely attacked and killed innocent civilians. To date, the country is under siege by Meles Zenawi’s special forces that are terrorizing the public. It is a testimony to the ruling party’s despotic nature.
The leaders of CUD have the responsibility to continue to fight on behalf of millions of Ethiopians whose votes were stolen by the ruling party. For his unwavering commitment to safeguard the interests of the voters, the Chairman of CUD, Ato Hailu Shawel, should be bestowed the highest honor. He is an example of a principled political leader who is willing to sacrifice every thing for the benefit of the people.
Ato Hailu Shawel is not only a Chairman of CUD but also AEUP, a party that brought the largest vote for CUD. His views and decisions represent a large majority of the people. The pronouncement he made on Sunday not to allow CUD to be used to give legitimacy to EPRDF parliament is timely and appropriate. The decision is not politically expedient, but reflects the public’s disposition. And we thank him for his leadership.
We would like to take this opportunity to appeal to all the political parties and civic groups to show solidarity with CUD Chairman Hailu Shawel.
Ethiopian Review Editorial
Sep 21, 2005
A statement has been posted in the name of CUD on Kestedemena Party’s web site that contradicts Ato Hailu Shawel’s announcement that CUD will not enter parliament. The statement does not bear CUD’s official stamp, and we have confirmed that the CUD council did not authorize the statement posted on Kestedemena’s web site against its chairman.
The Kestedemena Party chairman, Dr Berhanu Nega, who is the campaign manager for CUD, also held a press conference today (Sep 21) and told reporters that Ato Hailu’s statement doesn’t represent CUD. Dr Berhanu doesn’t have the authority to contradict the chairman of CUD. By coming out against Ato Hailu, not only he is violating party discipline, he is also creating confusion and frustration among the CUD supporters, and the public at large.
Of course, this is not the first time that Dr Berhanu tried to contradict the CUD chairman and assuming the role of CUD leader. Since May 15, he has been trying to silence the chairman who has been championing the cause of the vast majority of Ethiopians for past several years. It is absurd why an election campaign manager is given a free hand to destroy the image of the coalition and its chairman. Dr Berhanu, who has appeard in the opposition camp just a few months before the election, has been the source of confusion and division in the CUD. Once again, Ethiopian Review urges the CUD leadership to take a corrective action as soon as possible in order to preserve its creditability.
The people of Ethiopia are with Ato Hailu Shawel. If Dr Berhanu wants to work with the murderous regime of Meles Zenawi, that is his right. But he must not be allowed to use CUD as a cover to advance his own agenda.
The people of Ethiopia have spoken clearly–they don’t want to be governed by the Meles regime for five more years. Berhanu Nega must respect the people’s desire to be liberated from dictatorship now, not five years from now.
Sep 20, 2005
Ethiopian Review
Meles Zenawi left New York in a hurry and arrived in Addis Ababa last Saturday after attending the United Nations General Assembly on Sep 15. Meles used to go to Washington DC after attending UN annual meetings, but this time he left the U.S. in a hurry to avoid questioning by Tensae Radio lawyers, observers say.
A counter lawsuit is being filed against Meles, Bereket and other top officials of the EPRDF regime by Tensae radio accusing them of torture and murder of Ethiopian civilians. According to the evidences that are being gathered so far, some of victims could be close relatives of Ethiopian Americans.
Tensae Radio initiated the counter lawsuit after Meles and his officials filed a lawsuit against Tensae Radio officials charging them of defamation. The lawsuit was filed in a Virginia court. When Meles took this legal action, he waived any diplomatic immunity he may have, legal experts informed Ethiopian Review.
The counter lawsuit may force Meles and his officials to stay away from the United States and European countries to avoid deposition, and possible arrest.
Law experts say that the June 8 massacre is particularly troublesome for Meles since he took direct command of the security forces that perpetrated the mass murder.
