Remaining Kinijit leaders reject divisive government offer

January 15, 2006

After repeated calls, the NEBE said the number of registered Councillors could not enable them to form the Addis Ababa City Administration Council. Only 54 of the 138 elected people’s Councillors had registered since January 12-15, 2006.

The refusal by CUD councillors to register means the opposition stronghold of Addis Ababa will continue to be run by an appointed transitional administration dominated by the ruling Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF).

The subject would be referred to the Federal Parliament for decision, Board Deputy Head Tesfaye Mengesha

The CUD, many of whose elected members of parliament are also boycotting the federal legislature to protest alleged massive fraud in the May 15 2005 polls, says it will not take its city council seats until the national government restores certain powers to the body.

The CUD considers unacceptable laws enacted by the government about the city administration.

On October 11, 2005, the CUD chairman Hailu Shewal said in a press statement “We have written a letter to the government to revoke those laws so that we can take our seats on the city council as mandated by the people,” he said. “If they are not going to do so, we are not taking over the city administration.”

The laws in question relate to the transfer of some city tax revenue from the council to the federal government and a provision that requires the local board to report to the prime minister who has the power to dismiss its members.

Prime Minister Meles Zenawi’s government has thus far refused to change the laws and has said unless the CUD takes its 109 seats in parliament the party will not eligible to run the local administration in the capital.

The Addis Ababa city council is responsible for providing most services – with the notable exceptions of water and power – to residents of the capital.

(Source: Government website, Walta)