Ethiopians are deeply hurt by the misrule of the minority regime. The 16 years of misrule of Meles Zenawi’s sectarian regime resulted in conflict, absence of democracy and the rule of law, election fraud, corruption, human rights abuse and poverty. Meles has brought havoc, dismemberment, landlocked-ness, more conflict and migration and sectarian politics not only to Ethiopia, but to the entire Horn of Africa. These facts are not hidden from African leaders, yet Ethiopia’s case has not been formally discussed at any African forum. We are disappointed by the deafening silence of PAP and AU. The voices of millions of Ethiopians are not heard. We are saddened by the use of double standards.

As ordinary Africans our understanding of the mission of the PAP, among other things, is to identify concerns about political prisoners and prisoners of conscience in the continent. The mission of PAP is to support the aims and objectives of the AU, NEPAD and APRM. PAP was silent not only at the gross human rights abuses and election crisis in Ethiopia, but it has also condoned the appointment of Meles Zenawi to NEPAD and APRM. Both the appointment and the silence are incomprehensible to the people of the continent. For the victims of Meles Zenawi, it is a further injury.

We register our dismay at the Parliament’s total neglect of the imprisonment of the core leadership of the Coalition for Unity and Democracy Party (CUDP). This neglect is despite reminders and abundance of information. We recall our own memorandum. We are also reliably informed that CUDP has asked to take its seats in PAP. We therefore call upon the Presidents of the AU and PAP to do the necessary correction, and make an urgent intervention on matters related to the imprisoned leaders of the CUDP, and political stability in Ethiopia and the Horn of Africa. We request your urgent intervention to save the CUDP parliamentarians from the kangaroo court of the minority regime.

Free CUD-Kinijit Leaders!
Meles must be brought to justice, not to Nepad!
The people of Somalia are our brothers!

The Ethiopian Community Association in South Africa
Tel: 27+0824819541 or 27+ 0827444860
P.O.Box 17051
Doornfontien 2028
South Africa