ADDIS ABABA ”It is a universally accepted fact that a country can exist without political parties and people, but, people hardly survive without a country,” says Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed.
Contending political parties has launched a political debate on Tuesday. The discussion mainly has emphasized on the creation of enabling factors for the involvement of groups with diverse political ideology and interests in affairs of their country.
Accordingly, the Premier highlighted some of the measures introduced in reforming laws and institutions such as the Electoral Board as prioritized tasks ahead. According to the Prime Minister, even though the country has gone a far distant in terms of chronology, our politics is yet in its infancy stage.
We haven’t made circumstances to be a model for Africans the way the country has been an instance of independence and the hub of libration in the continent. Thus a party which took the upper hand along with contending should work most for the wellbeing of the nation taking ideological differences aside, he said.
The Premier further emphasized that law is the only governing means to judge the competition among parties. Working under the shade of law and order is a must and not to be compromised. The other significant emphasis given to the meeting is the implementation of a democratic system. The Prime Minister explained that election should be taken as a single means to build an advanced nation, there are also other tasks of justice and freedom to be done ahead coupled with the election.
In doing so, we can achieve far reaching solution that we can end a suspicious relation we have bitterly experienced for years, said Dr. Abiy The premier added that the country need to change its course of history, that was filled with denigrations. He urged the political elites to close the chapter of history which recalls grievance and instead to understand the current situation of the country which is home to the diverse nations, nationalities and peoples and numerous religious groups.
According to him there is a need to correct the bitter experience of the past and give rise to a new future. Utilization of media has also been another center of emphasis in the meeting. The rapid growth of technological innovation made easier to convey messages via digital journalism. Hence parties are advised to have their own web site with their respective brand.
The situation is believed to have considerable importance in distinguishing messages of hate speech, bigotry and hostility conveyed through fake accounts. Being social media is a potential threat for the upcoming election, raising awareness of the public should not be left to the ruling party alone, as the premier pointed out.
The Ethiopian Herald, November 29/2018
BY LAKACHEW ATINAFU
