Three main opposition parties in Djibouti — the Republican Alliance for Development, the Djibouti Party for Development and the National Democratic Party — are preparing to take part in next month’s legislative elections under the banner of a new political bloc known as the Holy Union for Change (USC). “After intensive discussions, the opposition bloc, which has been joined by movements and independent figures, has formed a coalition to bring a 10-year political boycott to an end,” a USC statement said last month. The ruling coalition, Union for a Presidential Majority (UMP), which has been in power for a decade, included the People’s Rally for Progress, the Front for the Restoration of Unity and Democracy, the Union of Reform Partisans and the Social Democratic Party.
This year, UMP will also include the Authentic National Democratic Party, which comprises members of the National Democratic Party who split from the opposition, and a few other small parties. Nonetheless, Abdoulkarim Mahamoud, a founding member of the Djibouti Party for Development, said this year the opposition would be more successful.
“The Djiboutian opposition is more determined than ever to take part in and win the legislative elections on February 22nd,” he told Sabahi. “By forming an alliance, the opposition parties have a strong chance of winning these elections.”
Full Article: Djiboutian opposition parties to contest parliamentary elections – Sabahionline.com.