INTERVIEW
Dr Admasu Gebeyehu
Chairman Ethiopian Democratic Party
By Fisseha Tadesse
Ethiopian Review
October 2001
Question: Please explain to us briefly why and how the EDP was created.
Answer: The Ethiopians’ Democratic Party (EDP) was established in October 1999. EDP is a national party and its founding members are from all walks of life. The objectives of EDP include: to struggle for the creation of a democratic system in Ethiopia so far as to ensure the respect for human rights and promote the rule of law and due process. EDP promotes free market economic system. EDP strongly opposes inequality, injustice, oppression, suppression, exploitation, dictatorship, violence, discrimination, intimidation, insecurity, fear, hatred, intolerance, vengeance, etc. EDP condemns violence as a means of acquiring or maintaining power. EDP strongly believes that the Ethiopian people, as they are the ultimate source of political authority, should be able to elect their representatives and administrators through free and fair elections. Finally, I would like to emphasize that EDP is determined to contribute its share to the nurturing of a democratic system in Ethiopia.
Q. It’s reported that Ethiopian Democratic Party, Oromo National Congress and All Amara People’s Organization are working closely under the umbrella of Ethiopian Political Parties Joint Forum. Can you tell us how this coalition was created and what its objectives are?
A. In addition to three of us, there is also the Southern Ethiopia Peoples Democratic Coalition in the formation of the Forum. We understood that there are some common issues that enables us work together and all of us benefit from. Similarly, we also recognize that we have different specific opinions on some issues which need to be promoted within our own parties. Accordingly, we have decided to create a Forum that will enable us act together on our common agendas. To mention one major point: The freedom to organize into political parties is clearly permitted by the Constitution. However, there is hardly any opposition political party that functions unhampered. The human rights violations, such as extrajudicial killings, tortures, illegal detentions, involuntary disappearances, that are committed by the forces of the ruling party, are calculated actions to terrorize us (opposition parties) and our supporters with the intention of weakening or eliminating us. Therefore, standing together on the issue of respect for human rights as well as the rule of law and due process is one of our agenda to be carried out by the Forum.
Q. From your public statements we understand that you oppose ethnic politics. What do you think is the right kind of government for Ethiopia?
A. According to our opinion, ethnic-based problems, like other problems, can be solved if we create a democratic system whereby all human rights are respected for all citizens of the country. We believe that the right kind of government is that fulfils institutional separation of powers between executive, legislature and judiciary. We hope that this arrangement would allow the protection of the individual rights, the guarantee of a fair trial and due process, the subordination of state officials to the law, the possibility of legal redress against maladministration and abuse of office.
Q. Would you support going back to the 14 geographic regions, or keep the ethnic regions?
A. I do not think both the old 14 geographic regions as well as the current ethnic regions are appropriate and convenient arrangement for holistic and integrated development of the county. We promote regional arrangements that could facilitate the idea of decentralization so as to create popular participation in governance and bring government closer to the people, to facilitate local ownership; unleash new resources at the local level; enhance transparency and accountability. I think if the central government as well as regional governments transfer an approximate mix of administrative, political and fiscal types of authority to the local level (say woreda level), most of the problems that may be created by inappropriate regional delineation can be solved.
