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)

The opposition Coalition for Unity and Democracy (CUD) has said it would challenge the results from the May 15 poll in the courts and urged a government of national unity to be formed.

“There is a clear and distinct danger that the country may return to the dark days of the Derg regime where the use of force becomes the chosen means of suppressing political dissent or political opposition,” the CUD said in a statement.

Unrest over alleged vote-rigging in Ethiopia’s second real multi-party poll led to the police shooting at least 36 people and arresting thousands more in June in Africa’s top coffee producer.

The 53-member African Union has appealed to political parties in Ethiopia to settle any disputes through the courts and through dialogue.

However, the CUD said the major obstacle blocking any resolution was a “complete lack of trust” towards Prime Minister Meles Zenawi’s ruling Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF).

The EPRDF is expected to form a new federal government by the end of next month.