Atlanta marks first year anniversary of popular election

By Mahdere-Andinet

May 11, 2006

The first anniversary of the victory of popular election of May 2005, which later on was snatched off by EPRDF was observed in Atlanta by a public meeting last Saturday.

The gathering that lasted for more than two hours was addressed by CUD officials and Dr. Mekdes Mesfin, daughter of the renowned human rights activist, Professor Mesfin W. Mariam.

Ato Berhane Mewa, CUD Secretary, told the meeting that the necessary arrangements and ground works have been completed to wage a massive public activity against EPRDF. Asked if the activity includes “armed Struggle”, the Secretary emphatically reiterated that Kinijit still believes that change can be attained in Ethiopia by peaceful means.

He called on all anti-EPRDF forces to rally behind the people’s agenda of Kinijit with the view to establishing a government that fulfills the aspiration of the Ethiopian people.

Dr. Seyoum Solomon, head of foreign relations committee of CUD, explained the efforts by Kinijit to gain political and diplomatic support particularly from the US Congress and the State Department.

Video clips depicting major events of the year were also shown during the meeting, which was organized by Kinijit Atlanta chapter.

Meanwhile, Ato Obang Metho, who recently testified before the US House of Subcommittee on Africa, on Tuesday met with Dr. Joseph Lowery, Head of Coalition for Peoples’ Agenda and briefed him on the atrocities committed against the Anuak people in particular and the rest of the Ethiopian people in general, by the fascistic regime in Addis Ababa.

Later in the day, Ato Obang held a discussion with Ethiopians living in Atlanta and urged all opposition forces to stand in unison to fight the evils of ethnic federalism as stipulated by the Meles regime.

The Atlanta itinerary of Ato Obang was arranged by Mahidere-Andinet of Ethiopian Association.