The reform efforts that started seven or so months ago have reached a new height recently with the restructuring of the executive organ, reforming of the army and coming of strong personalities to the helm of democratic institutions, among others.
To add to these unprecedented moves, Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed on Tuesday held discussion with leader of over 80 competing parties, the creation of few but strong big-tent parties being among the crux in their talks. The effort of the government is clear to all—i.e., laying the reform on an unshakable institutional base. Once, the democratic institutions grow sharp teeth and strong arms, successive governments are likely to win legitimacy through fair, free and democratic elections.
The institutions, however, cannot become functional without genuine players in the landscape of competing parties. The landscape had been notable for character assassination, political intrigue of various sorts as well as lack of internal democracy but with all the due respects to those who have been attempting to do their best for the prevailing of genuine competing party in the country.
Now we have got an opportunity which may come once in a blue moon. This opportunity must properly be ushered in the path of genuine and lasting democracy. For this to happen, the landscape is now being leveled. The prime minister’s recommendation for big-tent parties is one instance in this regard. It is actually unusual for any ruling party to wish to see strong parties that compete to assume public power.
Even member parties of the ruling have started walking the talks. On Wednesday, Oromo Democratic Party (EPRDF member party) and Oromo Democratic Front (Competing) signed agreement that would take them to a possible merger. Competing parties’ members and leaders should, therefore, take the message earnestly. The government is discharging its responsibility by trekking miles of distances to encourage competing parties. The parties as well have historic responsibilities of seeing the bigger cause.
Competing parties multiple fission could only make them weaker. Their contribution to democratic system will also be futile. As the saying goes: ‘sticks in a bundle are unbreakable,’ it is high time for the parties to see into ways and means of alleviating trivial differences to appear as few but strong ones. Few and strong parties are advantageous to our effort of democratization. Being few in number has also its upside in avoiding voter confusion.
It becomes harder for the electorate to get the fathom of the objective of 80 and more parties. It is even tough to learn their names by heart late alone their election manifesto and the like. The interests many of the ethno-nationalist and Ethiopian nationalist parties pursue also overlap as one can learn from their programs. Unless it is for shortlived gains, major interests of peoples could not only be met with big-tent parties, the attainment of the interests will also become more viable, resource wise.
Winning election might be a goal to the parties. But that is not a noble goal. The main goal of parties should be laying strong foundation of democratic system in Ethiopia. That is why the parties’ are expected to exclusively see into possible ways and find common ground to work together.
The clock is ticking, and we are in less than two years period from the general election. If it is to be held in the regular timetable, the parties are expected to make major decisions that include merger. Government’s commitment has become clear and parties in the ruling have set the examples, the next move should be in the premises of the competing parties, as the adage goes: ‘You can lead a horse to a river but you can’t make him drink.’
