Prior to the sweeping reform, Ethiopians were taking to the streets to demand good governance, democracy and social equality. The upheavals also reached a crescendo in 2018. There was in fact little to restore and much to fix during the turbulent year. Ultimately, the unceasing protests rocked the country and resulted in a change of leadership in the same year.
The then ruling party, EPRDF held different discussions including general assembly and vowed to make concessions. The party’s last marathon meeting was followed by the release of political prisoners, the lifting of the state of emergency, delisting of political parties and media organizations from the repressive terrorism law, and amendment of draconian laws.
The volte-face turned the tide in the country with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s government promising further measures to open up the political landscape and improve the justice system. At the helm of the measures was the merger of the ruling party and the formation of the Prosperity Party (PP) with one united front.
PP came into existence with the merger of three former EPRDF member parties, the Amhara Democratic Party (ADP), the Oromo Democratic Party (ODP), and the Southern Ethiopian People’s Democratic Movement (SEPDM). The Afar National Democratic Party (ANDP), the Benishangul-Gumuz People’s Democratic Unity Front (BGPDUF), the Ethiopian Somali People’s Democratic Party (ESPDP), the Gambela People’s Democratic Movement (GPDM), and the Harari National League (HNL) were also included in the merger. In December 2019, it is formally recognized by the National Electoral Board of Ethiopia (NEBE).
The party’s president Dr. Abiy Ahmed at the time of PP’s formation tweeted: “The unanimous decision passed today to merge the Party is a crucial step in harnessing our energy to work toward a shared vision. Prosperity Party is committed to strengthening & applying a true Federal system which recognizes the diversity and contributions of all Ethiopians.”
Party CEO, Moges Balcha recalls how significant the formation of one united party was as the country’s politics was polarized and risked the existence of the nation itself. “Given the public demand for change and realities of the time, reform was chosen than revolution. The change has brought many things but crucially it opened a room that can accommodate two extreme views that exist in our politics.”
“The party before its merger used to have fronts that are absolute by themselves. The cooperation and understanding among these fronts were very loose. Some of the fronts were just supportive. They were alienated. They have little or no say in the party’s general resolution. We included and managed to create one strong and united party that could provide a solution to Ethiopian political problem.”
The merger and formation of the prosperity party however weren’t free of challenges. One of its former member parties TPLF has rejected the merger and engaged in confrontation up to the war that endangered the security of the nation as a whole. The fighting might have undermined the prosperity party’s vision of realizing economic recovery, building democracy and peace in general.
Alongside fighting the terrorist TPLF, the ruling party managed to hold a general election, finalized some mega projects such as the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, and introduces and built new projects like the riverside project and others to lure tourists to the country.
As those are some of the achievements of the party after its formation, the party’s performance was also overshadowed by recurrent conflicts, political instability, and large-scale war resulting in death, displacement, and various sufferings of people. The political instability and recurrence of conflicts also affected the economy as people are experiencing the highest inflation.
Nevertheless, the party won the national election with a huge majority. In his inauguration ceremony, the party leader and Prime Minister of Ethiopia Abiy Ahmed (PhD) pledged to the Ethiopian people that the party would make its reform comprehensive. Most importantly, the party vowed to build national consensus through national dialogue.
As per the directive of the national electoral board of Ethiopia, the party must now hold its annual congress and that would be its first congress since formation.
The first conference that is scheduled to happen from March 11th to 13th is anticipated for the party to get feedback from its members and draw inputs for. The executive committee of the party has already identified major agenda that would be deliberated upon. Tesfaye Beljige, Prosperity Party executive member and government whip says the congress is historic, and decisions that come out from it will determine the party’s and country’s future at large.
“This first conference would be historic as we have reached here withstanding different challenges. At the onset of party formation, we introduced a reform package and saved the nation and government from the brink of collapse. It is also a historic movement as the nation triumph over the attack of anti-change elements. Some of the major agendas will be: how we should deal with the rise of extremism and ensure national security and stability, the economic recession that is grappling the lives of people, poor service delivery, lack of good governance, and corruption. The executive committee also dwelt on ways to withstand foreign pressure. So, congress will also deliberate upon this and set direction.”
Prosperity Party CEO, Moges Balcha says the party on its first congress of poised to strengthen itself, find means to ensure durable peace, help democracy to mushroom, ease economic woes of people and strengthen diplomatic status.
“Strengthening the party is among the things expected from this congress. When the party is strengthened, party members would be strong both in their views and implementation of the mission. Second, congress will explore every means that help realizes durable peace to the country. Next, we will focus on building the democratic practice. Increasing the capacity of democratic institutions, realizing accountability, and easing the bureaucratic system will be seen in this process. Fourth, we should ease the economic burden of our people. We will do this by increasing productivity and easing the market. Lastly, the focus of this congress would also be on our diplomatic status. Situations in this world have become very dynamic. How do we manage the ever-changing diplomatic atmosphere and get benefitted from it is on the discussion? So, we should careful in our diplomatic dealings. We would exploit every potential we have like the engagement of the diaspora.”
Commenting of the party’s ideology, the CEO stressed the party preferred to contextualize ideologies than copy-pasting and creating similar problems that happened before it.
“Different ideologies have been implemented in this country but none of them haven’t born intended results. So, any view will be seen from our major goal and that is realizing comprehensive development. For this cause, we shouldn’t trap any of the ideologies. We rather focus on narrow existing extreme views. So, we are basically centrists.”
Head of the Office of the Prosperity Party, Adam Farah stated that 41 sister parties from 38 different countries will participate in the Congress. The Congress is also expected to elect Party leaders and undertake other related functions, Adam said. He recalled that PP Executive Committee and Central Committee had held fruitful discussions.
Prosperity Party’s success or failure will consequently affect the nation as the party is currently the ruling party. In weight of this; what it would bring to the lives of ordinary Ethiopians is the question and the reason the congress is to be anticipated. Wise and bold decisions in this congress are required as the nation is at a crossroads grappling with various challenges. This conference can also have a share in determining whether Ethiopia embraces peace and democracy and realize development.
BY KFLEEYESUS ABEBE
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD THURSDAY 10 MARCH 2022
