ADDIS ABABA- Political parties should pursue national consensus amongst them for the sake of protecting national security, said the renowned politician and scholar Dr. Merera Gudia.
He also added that creating national consensus is also a trustworthy path in setting up a competitive political culture in Ethiopia. With the absence of national consensus among the ruling and other opposition parties, it is impossible to ascertain sustainable peace and political stability across the country, “even if we witnessed peaceful transfer of power within the ruling party,” Merera told The Ethiopian Herald.
In the same line, he added that opposition parties have been requesting the ruling party to organize a platform for political parties to discuss issues of national consensus and reach a common understanding.
The ruling party has not been organizing many discussion forums at the national level for parties to come closer and work for consensus and unity. State power is still dominated by the ruling party alone and it is not yet shared with opposition parties to facilitate and support the reform process. This is process is marginalizing parties in the decisionmaking process, he added. The issue is a challenge for the reform.
Sultan Kasim, Law school Lecturer at Haromaya University, on his part, underlined the fact that now is the perfect time for practicing democracy in the country. “The kind of opportunity and reform process we are undergoing right now happens rarely. So if we manage it properly with maximum care, the reform and power succession would help us realize sustainable and stable political culture.”
Though the reform has initiated a spirit of optimism among the majority of the public, Sultan said, the country is still witnessing conflicts, border disputes between states, and illegal arms trafficking. These, if not solved swiftly would pose a serious threat to the sustainability of the reform.
The change has not come about because of one party. Hence, its future and sustainability also depend on the positive and constructive contribution of all stakeholders, he said recognizing the fact that the ruling party has the highest responsibility in this regard.
The Ethiopian Herald, January 17/2019
BY MULATU BELACHEW
