Ethiopian Review

By Dereje Berhanu

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia – Ethiopia’s opposition parties are watching the impact of the alleged coup on the country’s democratic processes.
According to opposition party leaders, the Government must show its commitment to the democratic values of free and fair elections.
Oromo National Congress party (ONCP) chair Dr. Merera Gudina, told SSI he is not sure the attempt was real or not: “If it is true, it is a big problem for the Ethiopian Peoples’ Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) led Government. They should work hard to widen the space for democratic values.”
According to Merera, the then Haileselassie and Derg regimes failed because they did not understand people’s inclination for change. Merera believes the Government has narrowed the democratic space in the country: “People get frustrated when they cannot express their interest at the ballot box; then groups who are using undemocratic conduct can get a lot of support from the public.

“The Government must not use its power only to stay in power. Birhanu had been one of the people who had been promoting peaceful and democratic ways in Ethiopian politics – now he has changed his tone.”
Ethiopian Democratic Party (EDP) chair Lidetu Ayalew has a different opinion from Merera. According to Lidetu, the political space narrowed ten years ago, which is why people came to change this situation: “There is no other option to change this Government other than through peaceful ways.”

“Ginbot 7 did not believe in peaceful ways from the start. They had been with us in May 2005 election, but without believing in the elections.”

Lidetu thinks the public should not give its attention to undemocratic groups.

In other news, in the next two months, EDP will officially start its 2010 election campaign.

The Oromo Federalist Democratic Movement (OFDM) leader Bulcha Demeksa told SSI the coup should be independently investigated. Bulcha said: “To detain more than 40 people is one way to get rid of likely candidates ahead of next year’s general elections.”

All parties should call for a thorough investigation into the overthrow claims against the arrested coup plotters.

The brother of Ginbot 7 secretary general Andargachew Tsige was arrested in Addis Ababa, but the Ethiopian government would not confirm to SSI. Zerihun Tsige, a citizen of the United Kingdom, went to Ethiopia recently to visit his father, Mr Tsige Habtemariam. A few days later, both were thrown in jail.

The 80-year-old Mr. Tsige is one of the 40 individuals who were jailed after being accused of plotting to overthrow Ethiopian Federal Government. Another suspect, Geta Worku, is the cousin of former opposition leader Berhanu Nega.

The investigation into the Ginbot 7 movement has led to six active army officials being put in police custody, while the security forces’ hunt for four more suspects continues. The SSI learnt four additional suspects have been arrested by the Federal Police.

The Government would not confirm whether the police has been granted additional investigation days from the courts.

Amnesty International (AI) on Wednesday called on the Ethiopian government to immediately disclose the names and fate of more than 35 people believed to be held by its security forces on political grounds since 24 April.

“Additional arrests have reportedly been carried out over the past several days and sources in the country have told Amnesty International that further arrests are expected”, said AI.

“We are very concerned about the fate of those arrested,” said Michelle Kagari, Deputy Director of Amnesty International’s Africa Programme.

“Several may have been detained solely for their family ties to men who have expressed political opposition to the government. They should be released immediately. Any others should be charged with a recognizable criminal offense or released. All should have immediate access to their families, lawyers and any medical care they may require.”

Amnesty International said that while protection of national security is a responsibility to which governments rightfully attach high priority, it cannot be used to justify human rights violations.

(SSI)