BY TEWODROS KASSA
Falsely asserting as the custodian of multiparty system, Tigray Peoples’ Liberation Front (TPLF)’s Junta had been for years working to eliminate political pluralism through repression and subversion. Divisiveness and stubbornness were one of the main features the Junta well known by its contenders.
The result of which was exodus and imprisonment of political parties. While unleashing a maximum crackdown the advocate of moderate political parties, the clique had been rather incubating parties that sow discord and division among Ethiopia. This unfortunate trend weakened the much-needed democracy and undid the little gains made and the unitary of the country.
During the TPLF led Ethiopian Peoples’ Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF), the political environment in Ethiopia highly gave impetus to extremism and divisiveness. Though, there have been m [more than 70] political parties in the country, their competition and contributions have largely been little.
Most of the parties are said to lack thorough social, political, and economic programs except representing their ethnic group questions in the political arena. Usually, entangled from the inside out, usually the competent parties were not strong enough to compete with the TPLF led EPRDF. Securing a single seat in the parliament was unthinkable.
Used as inner operatives, sponsored by TPLF Junta, fake political parties had also played their fair share of negative role in weakening political pluralism.
It was this grievance and others that triggered the 2018 reform. And, reforming the political landscape has been the must-do task of the country. That was why, since assuming power, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has consistently calling on the political parties to merge and come out competitive.
Heeding to the call of the day and the encouragement of the government, different parties since then have merged and announced the formation of new parties. Now with the elimination of the TPLF Junta, experts are optimists that Ethiopian political environment would take a turn for the better.
They are hopeful that the political environment will widen and bring new political parties on board and embolden parties with outstanding social, political, economic, among other programs to win public acceptance and seats in the parliament.
Prosperity Party Head of International and Public Relations Bikila Hurisa (Ph.D) said that after the Junta total removal, Ethiopia would experience promising change that is characterized by genuine and matured politics. The ongoing political environment entertains diverse opinions that aspire to see a stronger Ethiopia, he added.
As to him, all Nation, Nationalities, and Peoples of Ethiopia want to and will have a free voice in the country’s socio-economic undertakings. Therefore, the political environment seeks to engage every citizen who strives to bring about a strong Ethiopian unity in diversity. When the Junta group is totally crashed, the political climate will be free of racism and be able to entertain diversified views.
“Embracing unity in diversity and entertaining diverse views of citizens promote democracy in the country. For the past 27 years, the group has been meeting its own interests in the guise of ethnic politics. The Junta is a trader of ethnic politics.
The TPLF Junta has been trying to incite violence and havoc among the Nation, Nationalities, and peoples of Ethiopia. From now on, ethnic trade will be bankrupted; the traders are also gone out of the business, according to the official.
“Ethiopia’s unity is all-inclusive of ethnic diversity that brings together all languages and identities, embraces and engages benefits but does not compromise on Ethiopian unity”, he said.
Addis Ababa University (AAU) Professor of Public Policy Constantinos Bruhtesfa (Ph.D) told The Ethiopian Herald that the general premise shows that the political arena is widening now. The political parties are toiling to take part in the upcoming 2021 Ethiopian general election freely and without any intimidation.
New political parties might also emerge prior to the general election owing to the opening up political environment driven by the country’s ongoing reforms. There will also a possibility that a number of parties with different ideologies will join the political arena.
“The Tigray Peoples’ Liberation Front (TPLF) Junta’s withdrawal from the political arena will not have any tangible effect in the politics as the current time is going through new political transition and reform that will define the country’s future ”, he stressed.
The TPLF led Ethiopian Peoples’ Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) widely promotes ethnic centered political parties through its revolutionary democracy. It is time to see powerful and active political parties with well-crafted political and socio-economic policies, according to Costantions.
A comprehensive voter education program is also fundamental to realize the ongoing political reforms and actively participate in the upcoming election. Thus, to see a decent democratic election, political parties are expected to inform the public about their priorities, what they are going to accomplish regarding their political, economic, and social programs, he added.
“Voters will like to see strong parties that would serve the entire people not particular group. This behooves the parties to come up with all participatory and inclusive programs. This time, there should be a fundamental change and political parties need to review the way they have been doing their business and should take the demands of all Ethiopians into account, he underlined.
Every political party generates its ideology and comes up with various political objectives. The main objective is attaining socio-economic growth that helps win voter’s choice.
Revolutionary democracy had been the national political ideology of the country in the past two decades. But this time, the country deserves much more and modern political thoughts. Currently, the political parties running in the country including Prosperity Party should come up with full-fledged political programs.
Recently, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (Ph.D) held discussions with political parties and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) regarding the upcoming 2012 Ethiopian general election. On the discussion, the Prime Minister announced that political parties have reached on understanding on ways of making the 2021 Ethiopia’s general elections democratic and participatory. The Premier shared the federal government’s unwavering efforts to lay the foundation for a free and fair election in the country.
During the discussion, the Prime Minister said that elections are among the critical foundations of democratization process and require perfect environment and prerequisites be in place.
Highlighting the significance of fighting corruption within all political parties, including the ruling party, he confirmed that pre-election problem-solving mechanisms have been discussed, planned upon, and will be set to create conducive environment for all competing parties.
The highly anticipated and historic election, which will be held following the reforms of critical democratic institutions in Ethiopia over the past two and half years, is noted as the most consequential election in its demonstration of Ethiopia’s democratization journey initiated in 2018, it was indicated.
The Ethiopian herald December 8/2020
