Hundreds of Ethiopians residing in the UK have condemned the Meles regime for engaging in massive and widespread vote rigging in numerous constituencies in many parts of the countryside.In a peaceful demonstration they staged opposite Downing Street, the hub of the British government, the protesters demanded the TPLF-led government to accept the will and democratic verdict of the people. They called for an immediate end to what they called the “highly orchestrated efforts of the ruling party to reverse and derail the democratic process set in motion by the determination of the people to remove the tyrannical ethnic mafia led by Meles Zenawi through ballot boxes.”
In a letter addressed to Prime Minister Tony Blair, the protestors urged the British government to exert its influence on the Meles regime to respect the results of the elections and swallow the bitter pills of defeat. “In the immediate aftermath of the elections, it turned out that the ruling party has completely lost control of the Addis Ababa and other towns. In the event, the ruling party resorted to numerous illegal and criminal activities to forcefully reverse the results of the election in its favour” the letter stated.
It indicated that Ethiopia is at a historical crossroads. It also noted: “The entire country is now in a state of high tensions,” and denounced the state of emergency imposed by Meles Zenawi as a desperate tactic to suppress resistance and opposition to the election fraud.
ethiomedia.com
2 comments:
Can a leopard change its spot?
I wish opposition parties would continue fighting EPRDF peacefully with their seats at the Parliament provided EPRDF could reconsider its rigid political outlook and outdated economic policies. But, as the past 14 years have clearly witnessed, EPRDF can not change its "skin". What would the opposition parties contribute at the Parliament where virtually all decisions including legislations (perhaps the only exceptions are amending the constitution or state of emergency, Art. 59) have been reached by simple majority? For me, the only difference between the last 10 years Parliament and the next five would be more chairs will be secured and voices could be heard in addition to Dr. Beyene's and Major Admasu's. Will that be the ultimate interest of the majority of Ethiopians who voted for opposition candidates and who believed that the provisional results are being manipulated by NEBE to ensure a third term for EPRDF? A reasonable observer couldn't seek justice both from NEBE and the Federal Judiciary which are EPRDF affiliates. A simple example is that the Chairman of NEBE is the President of the Supreme Court, and the vice-President is the famous Menberetsehaye who has repeatedly committed atrocities in many court cases, the recent being Seye's case.
Therefore, the only way out for opposition parties and, hence, for Ethiopia could be the opposition parties to boycott the Parliament.
Can a leopard change its spot?
I wish opposition parties would continue fighting EPRDF peacefully with their seats at the Parliament provided EPRDF could reconsider its rigid political outlook and outdated economic policies. But, as the past 14 years have clearly witnessed, EPRDF can not change its "skin". What would the opposition parties contribute at the Parliament where virtually all decisions including legislations (perhaps the only exceptions are amending the constitution or state of emergency, Art. 59) have been reached by simple majority? For me, the only difference between the last 10 years Parliament and the next five would be more chairs will be secured and voices could be heard in addition to Dr. Beyene's and Major Admasu's. Will that be the ultimate interest of the majority of Ethiopians who voted for opposition candidates and who believed that the provisional results are being manipulated by NEBE to ensure a third term for EPRDF? A reasonable observer couldn't seek justice both from NEBE and the Federal Judiciary which are EPRDF affiliates. A simple example is that the Chairman of NEBE is the President of the Supreme Court, and the vice-President is the famous Menberetsehaye who has repeatedly committed atrocities in many court cases, the recent being Seye's case.
Therefore, the only way out for opposition parties and, hence, for Ethiopia could be the opposition parties to boycott the Parliament.
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