Democracy versus Tyranny – After he knew the Ethiopian people have categorically rejected his 14 years of misrule, Prime Minister Meles Zenawi decreed a state of emergency in the wake of the election day on May 15, gave full powers to his special forces who on June 8, 2005 killed at least 40 civilians – including two brothers on the doorsteps of their home and in front of their mom – and wounded over 100. Over 4000 supporters of the opposition parties were rounded up into torture camps. The electoral board, staffed by the PM’s own men, serves as a cover to legalize an Election Hijacked by the power of the barrel of the gun. Stories of gross human rights violations remain untold in much of rural Ethiopia, which has in the last two months been subjected to a reign of terror by the armed gangsters of the premier. The role of the international observers in the defense of the Ethiopian people’s commitment to the rule of law and order remains a crucial, historically more significant than at any time in the history of the country. The choice is between embracing a one-man dictatorship and a people’s democracy. (Caption and photo montage: Ethiomedia; Photo: Courtesy of Andrew Heavens)

Nonetheless, leaders of Ethiopian opposition parties have demonstrated great political wisdom, pragmatism and patience and have been negotiating in good faith, since the hijacking of the election process immediately following election day by the ruling party, to uphold and protect the will of the Ethiopian people, preserve peace and stability, and overcome the hurdles consistently imposed by the ruling party at the fledgling democratization process. In its last intransigence and adventurous acts, the ruling party has summarily dismissed the well-thought out proposal by the two major opposition coalitions, the CUD and the UEDF, and has placed the interests of the country and people at greater risk.

The Coalition of Ethiopian Civic Organizations applauds the wise, bold and courageous positions that CUD and UEDF have articulated in their proposal and condemns EPRDF’s arrogant, irresponsible and adventurous acts.

We are now entering a critical period in the future of our people and country. Whether or not the opposition and the Ethiopian public permit the EPRDF to steal the election through these fraudulent and arrogant acts would dictate the Ethiopian political process and the unpredictable consequences it could endure for many years to come.

It is now of a strategic imperative that the opposition parties solidify their unity of purpose and action, and, in consultation with the Ethiopian people, decide on the next course of action. As in the past, we in the Coalition of Ethiopian Civic Organizations express our solidarity with the Ethiopian opposition parties in their struggle for peace, freedom, and democracy in our country. We unequivocally support their stance to respect the will and desire Ethiopians have expressed in the ballot box on the May 15 elections. We call upon all Ethiopians to stand united behind the political parties that are at the
forefront of this struggle.

Long Live Ethiopia!