Dr. Berhnau Nega, Vice President of the opposition Coalition for Unity and Democracy (CUD) told Addis Zena newspaper on Tuesday the ruling party of Prime Minister Meles Zenawi was trying to take the country into a dangerous situation, and called on the government to stop its deadly descent into the life of an urban rogue.

“Today’s beatings are tomorrow’s killings. They are psychologically preparing us for a violent tomorrow,” Dr Berhanu said. “We are urging our people to uphold their constitutional rights and pursue a peaceful struggle but it would be naïve on the part of the government to assume the people’s tolerance is without bounds.”

While reports of disappearances and attacks on CUD and UEDF officials trickle into Addis from various parts of the country, CUD official Major Admassu Melaku escaped a deadly car accident, and told the newspaper, “I’m being stalked by government security men where ever I go.”

Likewise, unidentified gunmen confronted CUD official Debebe Eshetu while he was parking his car at his residence. Held at gunpoint inside his car, Debebe was punched in the face, and was warned to keep himself away from CUD. The CUD official said he was attacked in the evening when no one was around, a situation which he described as “a blessing in disguise which could have sparked violence had neighbors seen when he was being assaulted by the gunmen.”

Bereket Simon, second-in-command of Meles Zenawi’s regime, meanwhile warned the opposition that any attempt to stage a rally was tantamount to overthrowing the ruling party by force. On his part, the planned UEDF rally is illegal, an announcement Dr. Berhanu Nega described as a jungle law threat.

Similarly, armed men smashed the car windows of United Ethiopian Democratic Forces (UEDF) President Merera Gudina while he was lunching with friends, the same source reported. Merera shrugged off the threats and said the people’s struggle for justice would not be stopped because “we are beaten and our car windows smashed.” He called on the Ethiopian people to persevere in their pursuit for a just order.

The Meles-Bereket ruling regime, which suffered huge losses during national elections last May, has been fomenting violence against oppostion leaders. Much of the country remains uncovered in news despite widespread campaign of terror against CUD and UEDF officials.

Meles, who remains responsible for the June 8th killings of 42 unarmed demonstrators, lately told his party’s organ, Weyyin , the next “fire would not only burn protesters but also those who spark the flames,” an inference of which is opposition leaders would be the targets of his hitmen.

The ruling party has announced it will convene a new parliament which CUD would boycott and call for a national drive to push for the resignation of the 14-year-old tyrannical regime of Meles Zenwai for robbing the May 15 opposition election victory.

The European Union Election Observation Mission recently reported the May 15 election fell below international standards while the Carter Center described the polls as “disappointing.” The US State Department has urged calm, and readiness to resolve the impasse through dialog. (Ethiomedia)

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