EU urges Ethiopia to negotiate an end to political crisis

Wire Services

February 18, 2006

Louis Michel (EU Photo)

ADDIS ABABA – EU Development Commissioner Louis Michel said a negotiated settlement to the crisis was crucial in efforts to let democracy take root in this Horn of Africa nation of an estimated 77 million people. The European Union pressed Ethiopia’s ruling and opposition parties Friday to negotiate an end to the political crisis triggered by disputed results of last year’s elections and a subsequent crackdown on government’s critics.

Political and civil unrest have shaken the country since the May general elections and police have arrested hundreds of opposition supporters and journalists on charges of treason, sparking international concern over Prime Minister Meles Zenawi’s commitment to human rights. The violence led to the killing of 88 protesters by security forces.

EU Development Commissioner Louis Michel said a negotiated settlement to the crisis was crucial in efforts to let democracy take root in this Horn of Africa nation of an estimated 77 million people.

Michel spoke after meeting Meles and visited the Kaliti prison, 18 kilometres south-east of Addis Ababa, earlier Friday, where he spent three hours meeting with leaders of the opposition Coalition for Unity and Democracy Party (CUDP) in jail since early November on charges of post-election sedition.

He met with CUDP chair Hailu Shawul, deputy chair Birtukan Mideksa; executive member and mayor-elect of Addis Ababa, Berhanu Nega; and journalist Eskinder Nega.

He expressed the hope that progress would soon be made on the transfer of power in the Addis Ababa Council to the CUDP, which took a complete sweep of the 138-seat city council in last May’s elections.

Michel said during his second meeting early Friday afternoon, Meles assured him of his readiness to discuss the matter with the opposition.

“The detainees told me their main ambition is to resume the dialogue with the government on the package of democratic reforms,” Michel said. “They also reiterated that they respect the constitution and would not support any attempt to overthrow the regime.”

Meles said international observers will have access to monitor the trial of the detainees. “All the people I met here realize that there is no alternative to a sincere dialogue,” and that there is a need for quick and concrete measures to build confidence between the two sides, he said. On Jan. 18, Britain cut all of its aid to Ethiopia’s government and plans to redirect the 50 million pounds (US$87 million or euro73 million) to humanitarian agencies or local governments working in the country because of concerns the government’s handling of the unrest sparked by disputed election results.