It is also, at least symbolically, the dawn of maturity in Ethiopian politics and a break from the decades old ‘there is no way but my way’ motto of politicians of all persuasion – especially of the regionalists, dictators and ultra lefts. OLF, in this regard should be commended for taking the initiative despite its contrary policies of exclusion.

Kinijit should also be proud to have galvanised the Ethiopian people since the May 2005 elections to participate and be involved in the affairs of the country and especially be tolerant of each other’s views. It should also be commended to be open to look into solutions despite its unitary state policy.
The withdrawal of UEDF, for now, from the alliance is regrettable. Its stated concerns might be valid at other circumstances but not now – when the ‘diabolic’ EPRDF is strangling every avenue of decency. I hope it (UEDF) will soon amend its stance and join the Alliance. It and the Ethiopian people can not afford to resend to distrust and division. I trust UEDF will make the right decision as it has a track record of promoting a unified action and not to the contrary.

Some of ADF’s Strength:

1. In the face of EPRDF’s onslaught on any form of meaningful and legitimate decent, opposition forces can only benefit from combining their efforts and resources. Indeed, EPRDF’s strength is nothing but the disunity of opposition forces. Meles Zenawi and TPLF (the ultimate core of EPRDF) has always relied on creating and fostering animosity by any means among the opposition block. Bribery, ethnicity, disinformation, religious discord, fear and terror etc. have been repeatedly used by Meles and TPLF to always keep the opposition at loggerheads with each other. While most of the external reasons of disunity among the opposition can be traced to TPLF, it is not by any means exhaustive. In fact, the weakness of some opposition groups and their leaders created the ground for Meles to exploit. With so much ache and experience on the part of the remaining leaders and groups of the opposition, it is now hoped that AFD will be the beginning to break the cycle of betrayal and bond a resolve to attend to the predicament of the woes of the people of Ethiopia.
2. AFD opens the platform to genuinely be an all inclusive undertaking. All attempts so far to create coalitions and united fronts has excluded one or more major group and/or interest. Resentment and discontent because of the exclusion of this or that group has always disenfranchised sections of the larger society which inturn has given fertile ground for the ever sniffing Meles to saw his seed of hatred. ADF in this regard should always tirelessly work to expand its horizons and bring-in opposition groups outside the alliance towards its fold. It should be wise to be wide enough (hode-sefi) and magnanimous to be all inclusive.
3. Politics in its crude nature is a numbers game. The Alliance by being all inclusive has the potential to be the biggest and formidable force in Ethiopia. Kinijit has recorded a broad base support among all sections of the society including the elite, the business community, students, almost all Amharas, Gurages and many smaller nationalities, including some Tigrians and the Diaspora among others. OLF is believed to enjoy support in large sections of the Oromo people, and the Diaspora Oromos. Others as well bring in supporters from a cross section of the populace. This support base of the opposition will be easily over 90% of the total population of the country. Hence a shattering news for TPLF and the essence of what makes Meles tremble at the prospect of an alliance among the opposition parties.
4. A unified front of opposition forces becomes a diplomatic power to be reckoned with by the international community. In the aftermath of the May 2005 elections. EPRDF’s dictatorial rule has lain bare for all to see thanks to unrelenting efforts of Kinijit, UEDF and others coupled with the sacrifices of the Ethiopian people. No longer can Meles and TPLF pose as democrats to bamboozle the international community with empty rhetoric of ‘diplomacy-speak’ which are full of lies and deception. On the basis of this diplomatic strength, the Alliance should be able build a formidable support to dry up Meles’s remaining foreign backers.
5. An alliance of all opposition groups has and continue to awaken hope among the vast majority of the Ethiopian people for a better and just future. The creation of an opposition block to counteract the sheer barrel dependant EPRDF will embolden Ethiopians of all ages, ethnic origins and persuasions to believe that it is possible to solve our problems among ourselves and that we can rise from the bottom of the pit and be counted, that we can transform our dreams of peace and prosperity to reality.

Few Limitations (assumptions):

1. All parties in the alliance agree to abide by the viability and existence of one sovereign country with a defined geographical border, no matter what the structure and manner of government that eventually will be realised.
2. All the participants in the Alliance are genuine and committed to represent their constituent’s interests and endeavour to pave the way to patiently build bridges for a common goal. I intentionally put the phrase ‘represent their constituents’ in italics to portray that none of the parties are delegated or mandated by all or any section of the people of Ethiopia to make agreements or decisions on such sensitive things like, future structure of government. To their credit their announcement has indications that confirm this assumption. In other words, while the parties have their own views and policies on these big issues, their discourse (discussion and agreements) would only entail the manner of presentation to the people for decision making in due course.
3. Despite the history of relationships of the parties with foreign states and entities, all parties should acknowledge that the interest of their constituents and national agendas are paramount and predominant.
4. All parties should be committed to peacefully and democratically present their policies and agendas to the people of Ethiopia and abide by the verdict of the people at the appropriate time.
5. All parties should agree and abide by the universal human rights principles of free speech, rights to assembly and form organs of associations, individual rights to life and property, among others.

The above, I feel, are few indicators by which the Alliance will be able to incrementally build and base its future successes. I am by no means passing judgment on any participant party(s) policies, nor am I pre-empting a particular course of action yet to be realised. I am merely forwarding indicators of strength and pitfalls for the arduous road ahead.

Ethiopia will overcome adversity by the efforts of its all children!!