Ethiopia’s election: all losers

The crushing electoral defeat of the Ethiopian opposition does not actually help the ruling party and encourages its slide into authoritarianism ‘I really feel totally betrayed by the system,’ confessed Beyene Petros, one of the most respected leaders of the Ethiopian opposition, a few days after its crushing defeat in the general elections on 23 May 2010. ‘I thought that, if we competed in the elections, there would be a door ajar that could be made use of by competing parties.

Two Ethiopia opposition members killed

Ethiopian police shot dead two opposition members in the sensitive Oromia region after an election the ruling party won by a landslide, an opposition party and the government said Wednesday.

Tension mounts in Ethiopia as the battle of ballot looms

Accusations of harassment and even of murder have led to escalating tensions in Ethiopia between the ruling party and the opposition, a month ahead of general elections.

Tension mounts in Ethiopia ahead of polls

Accusations of harassment and even of murder have led to escalating tensions in Ethiopia between the long-entrenched ruling party and the opposition, a month ahead of general elections.

Opposition Denies Ethiopia’s Claim of Alliance with Eritrea

By Jason McLure Feb. 17 (Bloomberg) — Ethiopia ’s main opposition grouping disputed a government claim that political opponents of Prime Minister Meles Zenawi ’s ruling party are colluding with the country’s arch-enemy, Eritrea. State radio reported yesterday that the opposition is “covertly and overtly” collaborating with neighboring Eritrea ahead of elections on May 23.

Ethiopia Opposition Denies Government Claim of Eritrea Alliance (Bloomberg)

Feb. 17 (Bloomberg) — Ethiopia ’s main opposition grouping disputed a government claim that political opponents of Prime Minister Meles Zenawi ’s ruling party are colluding with the country’s arch-enemy, Eritrea.

Aid groups to probe charges by Ethiopia opposition

By Barry Malone ADDIS ABABA (Reuters) – Aid workers in Ethiopia will investigate how foreign humanitarian relief supplies are delivered after opposition political parties alleged that their members were being denied food ahead of elections in May. A coalition of eight opposition parties called Medrek, or the Forum, accuses some officials of only allowing ruling party members to benefit from a long running food-for-work programme that helps more than seven million Ethiopians survive.

Ethiopia: Some Opposition Groups Agree On Election Conduct Code

By Peter Heinlein ( VOA News ), Addis Ababa Ethiopia’s ruling party and three opposition groups have agreed on a Code of Conduct for parliamentary elections scheduled for next May. Other opposition parties that boycotted the Code of Conduct talks will still be bound by the rules.

Can Ethiopia’s Electoral Code Guarantee Fair Elections?

By Peter Heinlein ( VOA News , Addis Ababa) Ethiopia’s parliament is set to adopt an electoral code agreed on by Prime Minister Meles Zenawi’s ruling party and three of the opposition groups challenging his rule in elections next May. A coalition of eight other parties boycotted negotiations on the code, saying it fails to address their concerns that the system is rigged in the ruling party’s favor. VOA’s Peter Heinlein in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa examines the possibilities for a democratic opening in a country seen by many as a de facto one-party state.

Ethiopia : Defected MP testifies about prevailing political condiitions in Ethiopia

Press Release by Mr. Belete Etana, MP & D/Chairman PAC of Ethiopian Parliament To introduce myself, I am MP and D/chairman of Public Account Standing Committee (PAC) of the House of Peoples’ Representatives of Ethiopia, elected as a representative of Oromo People’s Democratic Organization (OPDO) from Limu Kossa District, Jimma zone, Oromia region. I want to give my honest and sincere testimony of the conditions currently prevailing in Ethiopia.

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