Reaffirming their unwavering determination to put an end to the underlying causes of repression, bloodshed, insecurity, political instability and exclusion in Ethiopia and the region which is inflicting severe hardships and suffering on all the people, and seriously hampers the prospects for development and the attainment of equality and social justice;
Reaffirming their commitment to shape a political order and a system of government inspired by the universal aspiration for freedom and founded on the values of justice, liberty, equality, democracy, good governance, pluralism, respect for the fundamental rights and freedoms, solidarity, mutual understanding, tolerance and cooperation;
Convinced that the realization of these ideals demands the cooperation of the Parties and the coordination of their activities towards the establishment of a democratic process leading to genuine healing and reconciliation and lasting peace;
Conscious that the failure of the political forces opposed to the TPLF regime to develop mutual understanding and coordinate their struggle benefited no one but rather contributed in prolonging tyranny and perpetuated the misery and agony of all,
Convinced that working together to materialize the higher interests of the people and the establishment of a genuinely democratic transition where divergent visions could freely and peacefully compete for the verdict of the people is in the best interest of the Parties;
Resolved therefore to guarantee freedom and democracy in Ethiopia and the region,
Have in consequence decided to set up the Alliance for Freedom and Democracy, and have for this purpose adopted this Statute:
Chapter I – Establishment of the Alliance
Article 1
The Alliance for Freedom and Democracy (“the Alliance”, “AFD”) is hereby established. Its objectives, tasks, code of conduct, and organs shall be governed by the provisions of this statute.
Article 2
Member organizations shall maintain their respective political programs and enjoy their organizational independence and autonomy.
Article 3
The Parties commit themselves to refrain from any act or behavior contrary to the provisions of the Founding Agreement, and to spare no effort to ensure that the provisions of the agreement are fully respected and implemented in their letter and spirit in order to ensure the attainment of genuine freedom, democracy, reconciliation, lasting peace, security for all and an equitable sharing of power and resources.
Article 4
The documents of the Alliance shall be made in English. Certified translations may be made in other languages;
The working languages of the Alliance are Afaan Oromo, Amharic and English and other languages spoken in Ethiopia;
Member organizations can however use the language of their choice for their independent activities without any prejudice by the Alliance or its members;
The Alliance would strive to ensure that all languages and the positive aspects of the cultures they embody receive equal recognition and protection.
Chapter II – Aim of the Alliance
Article 1
The aim of the Alliance is to establish a working arrangement that:
Ensures liberty, peace, justice, and the rule of law;
Promotes peace in Ethiopia and the region, ensuring that the resulting peace dividend shall be enjoyed by all;
Lays the foundation for a fully democratic system in Ethiopia that meets the aspirations of all and addresses their grievances by instituting a genuinely representative political order;
Guarantees the supremacy of the rule of law based on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and relevant United Nations Covenants;
Reaffirms respect for and commitment to the basic norms of international law and the principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations;
Achieves a new, just, and democratic Ethiopia where all human and democratic rights are fully respected;
Genuinely and boldly addresses the serious issues in Ethiopia and amicably resolves the many intractable conflicts in the region thereby laying the foundations for lasting peace, democracy, stability and development.
Promote the core democratic values of the rule of law, equality before the law and liberty of the individual, individual and collective freedoms, popular participation in decision making, free and fair elections, separation of powers and the independence of the judiciary;
Develop the mutual understanding and trust between parties, their members and constituents to boldly address the serious issues in Ethiopia that have been the root causes of conflicts lasting for generations and amicably resolve them thereby laying the foundations for lasting peace, democracy, stability and development throughout the region; and
These aims shall be pursued through the organs of the Alliance and the coordinated efforts of member organizations.
Chapter III – Functions of the Alliance
Article 1
The Alliance shall:
Coordinate the activities of member organizations by mobilizing and galvanizing their respective constituencies in order to achieve freedom, lasting peace, and democracy;
Convene an inclusive conference to establish a workable arrangement on the basis of the framework of the present Ethiopian constitution paving the way towards the establishment of a fully democratic order;
Pool together the Parties’ resources and talents in order to conduct an effective political and diplomatic campaign;
Work together to promote brotherly relations among all the people in Ethiopia by mitigating and preventing all forms of inter-communal and inter-confessional discord;
Uphold a culture of peaceful resolution of intrastate and interstate conflicts in the region and enhancing regional cooperation as a vehicle to create conditions for peace, stability, economic development, and political integration;
Promote harmony between the Parties and their constituents by overcoming the history of mistrust through dialogue, mutual understanding and respect;
Advance the development of democratic culture and institutions; and
Promote good relations between Ethiopia and Eritrea based on agreements to be reached between the two sister countries.
Chapter IV – Seat of the Alliance
Article 1
The Executive Committee shall decide the seat of the Alliance. The Executive Committee may also establish branch offices where and when necessary.
Article 2
The Alliance may move its headquarters elsewhere, whenever it becomes necessary.
Chapter V – Membership
Article 1
The members of the Alliance are the Parties to this Statute.
Article 2
A political organization with a proven track record of struggle, recognized leadership, political program and constituency which is deemed to be able and willing to fulfill the provisions of this Statute may be invited or may itself submit application to become a member. Admission shall be based on the majority vote of the existing members.
Article 3
A member may withdraw by formally notifying the Alliance of its intention to do so. Such withdrawal shall take effect a month after the receipt of the notification.
Article 4
A member of the Alliance that violates the terms and conditions of this Statute may be suspended from membership. A suspended member has the right to appeal to the Governing Council within 30 days of the notification of suspension.
Article 5
Save for those specifically delegated to the Alliance in accordance with this Statute, member organizations shall maintain its organizational independence.
Member organizations shall have the right to air their ideas and participate in the activities of the Alliance in accordance with thisStatute.
Member organizations are entitled to petition for the convening of the meeting of the Governing Council in accordance with this Statute.
The Alliance shall have its financial records audited once a year and such report shall be made available to all member organizations.
Member organizations shall refrain from engaging in activities directed against each other and in any activity that in any way compromises the security of a member organization. Violation of this article can be a cause for expulsion from membership.
Notwithstanding Article 3.5 of this Constitution, member organizations are not prohibited from expounding their political belief, and recruiting their own members in accordance with their respective laws, rules and programs.
Member organization shall refrain from engaging in any activity that in any way compromises the security of another member organization.
Without prejudice to Article 3.6, member organizations may establish bilateral cooperation to further coordinate their activities.
All member organizations shall have the duty to propagate and promote the objectives of the Alliance, support all its activities and implement decisions taken by it.
Chapter VI – Organs of the Alliance
Article 1
The organs of the Alliance are:
the Governing Council; and
the Executive Committee
Article 2
The Governing Council is the highest and supreme organ of the Alliance.
Article 3
The Governing Council shall consist of representatives of each member organization, delegated by its organization from among its leadership.
Each member organization shall be entitled to three representatives on the Governing Council, and each representative shall be entitled to one vote. Unless circumstances force otherwise, the head of a member organization shall be one of the representatives on the Council.
Each representative must be a member in good standing of his/her organization.
Member organizations may recall their representatives at any time, with or without case, by giving written notice.
Article 4
The Governing Council shall adopt its rules of procedure and shall elect through consensus the Chairperson and Vice-Chairman for a period of 1 year. The selection of other members of the Executive Committee shall be made on the basis of consultation between the heads of delegates of member organizations.
Article 5
Subject to the provisions of this Statute, all resolutions of the Governing Council shall require a two-thirds majority vote of the representatives.
Article 6
The Governing Council shall meet in ordinary session twice a year.
Article 7
The Governing Council may be convened in special session, upon the initiative either of the Chairman or the written request of at least three member organizations.
Chapter VII – Executive Committee
Article 1
The Executive Committee is made of the following:
Chairman
Vice-Chairman and Head of Political Affairs
Head of Organizational Affairs
Head of Foreign Relations
Head of Information
Head of Finance
Head of Research and Planning
Deputy Head of Research and Planning
Member at large
Article 2
The Executive Committee may establish other bodies as it deems necessary. The Executive Committee shall be responsible to work out the details on the design of the logo and letterhead of the Alliance and use it.
Article 3
The Executive Committee may suspend a member organization for due cause. Failing to fulfill ones financial obligation may be a cause for suspension.
Article 4
The Executive Committee shall formally report its activities at all sessions of the Council.
Article 5
The Executive Committee shall hold an ordinary meeting once a month. The Committee may choose the manner in which the meeting takes place. The Executive Committee shall prepare and adopt the internal working rules and regulations of the Alliance.
Article 6
The Executive Committee shall prepare and implement the specific criteria of admittance into the Alliance.
Chapter VIII – Duties of the Officers of the Alliance
Article 1
Chairman:
Represents the Alliance.
Uphold and promote the objectives of the Alliance
Serves as the chief executive and chief spokesperson of the Alliance.
Directs and supervises the Executive Committee in the implementation of the decisions of the Council.
Calls and presides over the meeting of the Executive Committee and the Council.
Presents at each regular or special meetings of the Council the report of the work of the Executive Committee.
Co-signs the checks or drafts of the Alliance.
Article 2
Vice-Chairman:
Carry out the duties of the Chairman in the absence of the Chairman.
Head the Political Affairs Committee
Execute all other duties assigned by the Chairman.
Article 3
Oragnizational Affairs
Coordinate the organizational activities of member organizations and act as Vice-Chairman in the absence of the Vice-Chairman
Carry out strategic planning activities to increase the capacity and efficiency of the Alliance
Execute all other duties assigned by the Chairman.
Article 4
Head of Foreign Relations:
Carry out the diplomatic mission of the Alliance.
Building strong relations with governments, NGO and other institutions to win support for the objectives, tasks and programs of the Alliance.
Head the Foreign Relations Committee of the Alliance.
Execute all other duties assigned by the Chairman.
Article 5
Head of Information:
Disseminate information to the public.
Build strong working relations with the media to propagate the objectives and activities of the Alliance.
Head the Information Committee of the Alliance.
Execute all other duties assigned by the Chairman.
Article 6
Head of Finance:
Manage the financial activities of the Alliance
Organize and supervise the Accounting, Fundraising and Treasury sections
Head the Finance Committee of the Alliance.
Serve as a custodian for all the funds and properties of the Alliance.
Co-sign the checks or drafts of the Alliance along with the Chairman.
Prepare the financial reports and the budget of the Alliance.
Execute all other duties assigned by the Chairman.
Article 7
Head of Research & Planning:
Head the Research & Planning Committee of the Alliance.
Collect and analyze relevant information to enhance the work and productivity of the Alliance
Conduct research studies and surveys to gauge the effectiveness and efficiency of the Alliance
Provide to the Executive Committee quantitative and qualitative information to assist in planning, policy-making and decision-making
Recommend policy options to the Executive Committee and the Council.
Execute all other duties assigned by the Chairman.
Chapter IX – Dues
The major source of resources for the Alliance shall be from members.
There shall be a $20,000 annual membership fee for each member organization.
The fiscal year shall be from June 1st until May 31st.
Membership Dues must be paid in full by July 31st within the fiscal year.
Chapter X – Settlement of disputes
Any dispute concerning the activities of the Alliance shall be settled through dialogue between the parties affected.
Any other dispute between two or more Parties relating to the interpretation or application of this Statute which is not settled through negotiations within three months of their commencement shall be referred to the Governing Council.
The settlement given by the Council by a 2/3 vote shall be final and binding.
Chapter XI– Final Provisions
Article 1
This Statute may be amended or repealed and new Statutes through a consensus of the Governing Council and it may be made at any regular meeting, or at special meeting called for this purpose, provided a written notice and intention of the meeting is conveyed to all member organizations.
Article 2
This Statute shall be in effect on the date it is signed by the Parties.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned being duly authorized thereto by their respective organizations, have signed this Statute and caused it to take effect.
DONE at (city), this 21 st day of May 2006 in Utrecht, Holland.
________________________________________
Coalition for Unity and Democracy Party (CUDP)
Yoseph Yazew, NA Committee Chairman
__________________________________
Ethiopian People’s Patriotic Forces (EPPF)
Meskerem Atalay, Chairman
______________________________________
Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF)
Abdulkadir Hirmooge, 2 nd Vice-Chairman
________________________________________
Oromo Liberation Front (OLF)
Dawud Ibsa, Chairman
_____________________________
Sidama Liberation Front (SLF)
Galfato Feqa, Chairman
________________________________________
Menza Makie, 2 nd Secretary (Attended the meeting as an Observer)
South Ethiopian Peoples’ Justice and Equality Front (SEPJEF)
The names of the organizations are presented strictly on an alphabetical order.
