The House of People’s Representatives welcomed its new members following the successful 6th general poll that took place in the length and breadth of the nation. Back in the day, the parliament was going through jeers and cheers time after time to reach where it is in the present day.
As the previous lawmakers were considered by the majority as a rubber stamp and failed to cross-fertilize a wide range of ideas as they sought, accomplishing the envisioned target was easier said than done.
In the present climate, as Ethiopia has been getting itself involved in the law enforcement operation following the terrorist TPLF group that has been pulling out all the stops to distract the country, the lawmakers should move heaven and earth to familiarize the international community with the existing reality on the ground.
The terrorist TPLF group has been working to destabilize the country’s unity bringing into play their divisive rhetoric. It is to be recalled that the terrorist group was turning the lives of the general public into a living hell under the guise of democracy. The group is until today the enemy of anti-diversity and the constitution of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia.
After Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed came to power, the TPLF officials established their electoral law and conducted a fake election. Following the credible poll that was held on the national scale, the country was able to take the international community aback in addition to providing doomsday tellers wrong. As the general public partook in the general poll heedless of gender, religious affiliation, political point of view, and things of that sort with flying colors, the international community was taken by surprise. Ethiopia has set a good example for the rest of Africa.
In a previous interview with The Ethiopian Herald, Amdegebriel Admassu, a senior legal expert said regarding the issue, “Over the past years, there was a widespread violation of human rights, waste of resources, and corruption in our country. But, instead of following up on predicaments and getting them corrected, members of the parliament were largely silent and condoned such acts.
He went on to say, “The House of People’s Representatives were passing laws that go against the Constitution of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia time after time. Now we need members of the parliament who can put into words strong policies that can pull the country out of its current predicament.”
“We do need a visionary, educated, experienced, and patriot House of People’s Representative’s down the road. The new parliament must have a clear understanding of the politics of our country, the region, and the world.”
As a nation, we need members of parliament who are honest legislatures of the population as a whole who professionally architect the executive bodies, and who do a lot of work in terms of parliamentary diplomacy.
Political science and international relations graduate from Dire Dawa University, Muluken Seyoum noted that the country is facing many challenges both from internal and external actors trying to destabilize the nation. Some anti-peace elements both from internal and external forces are working together hand-in-glove with the intention of undermining the peace and stability of the nation.
He further stressed that maintaining sustainable peace and stability of the nation is among the principal homework awaiting the upcoming government. Working hard in strengthening people-to-people relations is another way in bringing national solidarity and the people together.
“Creating massive job opportunities is also a daunting task in which the new government needs to tackle,” he indicated.
Muluken also said, “We all witnessed that the election was so peaceful and the voters elected their representatives till midnight without any pressure freely.”
The inflation rate is highly increasing and the government is undertaking multilateral measures to contain its impact to ease hardships facing the public. Besides, the high rate of cost of living in the country is what we all are witnessing and I expect that the upcoming administration needs to improve the livelihood of the people and other related problems which will transform the country to a better level.
He further stated that currently there are widespread misinformation and unfair external pressure to infringe on Ethiopia’s sovereignty. This is unacceptable! The issue of countering external interferences should not be left to the government. All regardless of political thinking and other denominations should work hand in hand to stop the futile efforts.
Journalism lecturer at Woldiya University, Mohammed Fentaw for his part said that strengthening and maintaining national unity, ensuring sustainable peace and stability, and managing the current problems should be the main engagements of the upcoming government.
He further stated that to promote Ethiopia’s interests in the region and internationally, the Ethiopian government should strengthen its diplomatic efforts.
On the other hand, completing mega projects including the GERD should be at the center of focus of the new government that would officially be inaugurated, Mohammed added.
BY ADDISALEM MULAT
The Ethiopian Herald 31 October 2021