Ethiopian opposition parties did not manage to break the rule of Ethiopia’s ruling party last month or receive a significant amount of seats in parliament. It complained of harassment, intimidation and vote-rigging during the May election in which the ruling party probably won all of the parliament seats and another five years in power. The opposition Ethiopia Democratic Party claims the pre-election process was not fair and the election results are not credible. EDP Executive Committee member Wasihun Tesfaye feels there is a deadlock in the current multi-party system, but said the opposition will continue.
“After 24 years, the opposition suffered many challenges, [but is] still alive. The next five years or the next 10 years [for] the Ethiopian opposition camp, present a danger,” said Wasihun.
Ethiopia often is applauded for its economic growth numbers, but also is frequently criticized for its human rights record. Fifty seven political parties participated in the May elections, but there still are many outlawed armed groups fighting the government that has been in power since 1991.
Oromo Federal Congress chairman Merera Gudina is the vice chairman of Medrek, a coalition of opposition parties. He said if the peaceful struggle is not working, other forces can gain an upper hand in the political landscape.
Full Article: Ethiopian Opposition Parties Vow to Continue Peaceful Struggle.