ADDIS ABABA – As the ruling coalition Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF), evolves in to a single party, politicians and civilians from various EPRDF non members express hope to get better opportunity to exercise equal participation in overall national agenda.
EPRDF used to be a coalition of four political parties namely Amhara Democratic Party (ADP), Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), Oromo Democratic Party (ODP), and South Ethiopian People’s Democratic Movement (SEPDM).The four parties represented their respective regional states.
But the remaining five regional states were not members of the coalition. Uchan Ugetu, Discipline Committee Member at Ethiopian Citizens Social Justice Party (ECSJP) in Gambella state Branch told The Ethiopian Herald the fate of the five was determined by the ruling party where they had no direct involvement.
Hence he noted that the merger is crucial to create sense of equal responsibility over the country’s matter among regional states that were previously referred to as emerging states and whose political parties were labeled as aligned for the past more than two decades.
Although the merger could play a meaningful role for the nation’s overall prosperity, the party should give due attention at Kebele level. Aligned parties should participate through providing different inputs which help to realize sustainable peace, nation’s unity and love among others for Ethiopian bright future.
Dr. Abiy Ahmed Chairperson of EPRDF, said on the merging, it plays significant role to encourage Ethiopian federal system, give equal chance for aligned parties, developing multi nationalism, ensuring all inclusive, national unity, and fairness of representatives.
Mohammed Aydias, from Afar Liberal Party on his part said that the merging action is crucial to address peoples quest aligned parties requesting during the past many years across the nation. In this regard, out of the ruling party, five regional states are not actively participating through decision making process during the past many years. Due to this reason, Afar people have sustained economic, political and social problems.
However, the merger is vital to eliminate this discriminatory attitude and can enable them to participate on political decision making process and nation’s matter as whole. On the other hand, government should respect and give discussion opportunity to elders to ensure durable peace while aligned parties are standing for common goal to ensure nation’s benefit and unity, Mohammed advice.
The Ethiopian Herald, November 30/2019
BY MESERET BEHAILU
