Nairobi — The International Crisis Group has warned Ethiopia to guard against violence during its next June elections.
The ICG called on Ethiopia's governing coalition to improve democratic practices or risk violence that could further destabilise the Horn of Africa region.
The lobby group's latest background report examines the potential for a violent eruption of conflict in Ethiopia ahead of the June 2010 elections, amidst rising ethnic tensions and dissent.
ICG further calls on the international community to encourage more meaningful democratic governance in the country.
"Donors must convince Ethiopia to improve current standards of governance and promote democratic reform or risk future waves of violence and new destabilisation in the Horn of Africa," reads part of the report.
"The Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF), led by Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, transformed the previously centralised state into the Federal Democratic Republic in the 1990s, redefining citizenship, politics and identity on ethnic grounds. The stated intent was to create a more prosperous, just and representative state for all citizens," says ICG.
However, says the group, ethnic federalism has not dampened conflict, but rather increased competition among groups
Comments 1 to 3 of 3 Post a comment
What a match! This group has got perfect name-Crisis Group. What has been written on the 2010 election is the wish of the Group itself, beacause the group earns money by advocating for crisis not only in Ethiopia but also all over the world. So this is the 2010 plan of the Group and its affiliates for Ethiopia. We will see whether the Group will meet its objective or not.
The EPRDF rulers have prepared internet bloggers to comment on all issues raised in support of the tribal, tyrant rulers. These are thugs which receive money from the tyrants, which came from western countries in the name of the poor. They will try to tell us there is development...and expect us to believe them when we are struggling to eat at least once a day, and when millions have died from drought repeatedly.
They tell us, many roads have been built, many schools and clinics have been built. However, on which planet has development been measure by the number or the lenght of roads built??? Even if we say road construction means development, and the schools and health facilities are built by the money of the western countries. It is a fact. What EPRDF did was to put some of the money it receives to construction but allow a larger portion for corruption. If what the Ethiopian people want from EPRDF is to say ok when western countries and int. agencies come and say ' let us do this', if that is the only thing the Ethiopian people want...then EPRDF would have been rated greately. But is that the only thing the Ethiopian people expect from their leaders?
1. Average daily income (GNI) is about USD 0.5 for the last 20 years
2. There is not any adequate population policy for the past 20 years, there fore, population is grwing like never before, and the tyrants ignored it or could not understand it
3. when millions are on the verge of famine and drought, they prefer to play with statistics than mobilize resources and help the poor and they enjoy to watch millions die 4. They have planted the seeds of ethnic divisions and hatrade, many have died as a result and the country faces great dangers like that of the case in Rwanda
5. They have caused the death of thousands to protect Badme, but they have given away what the thousands died for by foolishely signing at Algers. So much to say here...think about this deeply, ask: Thousands sacrificed their life for Badme, they got it back from Shabia, but will they have badme forever? Why? For how many years for Ethiopia and Eritrea to stay like this?
6. What are they doing in Somalia??? They tried and failed for two years. a) They are making Somali people very angry. They made and are making Somalis to hate Ethiopians even more. b)How many Ethiopian soldiers die and from which ethnic group in Somalia from the first time they entered? Why dont they tell us? Is not life precious? Dont Ethiopians have the right to decide on the worthiness of war? What are they leaving for the next generation???
7. Its agricultural policy...the famous 'ADLI' evidently failed,when many farmers failed to feed themselves let alone feed the urban area.
8. There is not fair and free election
9. Freedom of speech is much threatened
10. Freedom of press has been almost crushed...The tigray people having the worst experience in this respect
Soooo many, sooooo many, more to say, I mean sooo many...all you need to do is to see things critically, be unbiased, see the facts,
Anw ways, the call is indespensiable for a country that has been in volved herself with such problem and as result lost many youths for nothing. but i don't think such crisis will happen. it is not because i expect truely democratic election will be held. rather it is because the pople may not develop a comitment like the post-2005 election. that time the poeple were hopefull, optimist and very egar to enjoy the fruits of the anticipated change. so they were not ready to be scilent.They speek out "you stole my vote" for the ruling party.the party give gun in response, while they were not ready to recive and react for such response. They lost thier life for nothing. the pople, they trusted sent to jail. the party they vote disintegrated. they cried heavly. they become pessimist. some people went to armed strugle, beliving they will not won via sectet ballot , rather gun. This all shows that the people in Ethiopia, do not expect truely fair and free election. they will,(and are) manifast this being passive in the electionand plotical affairs in general. They will not went disobediance to return thier stolen vote, since they will not vote. they will not answer any parties call for demonstration, disobediance and similar actions, for they do not have trust on any party. i think we need addational years and strong oppostion part to develop the post 2005 election commitment among the people. Therfore i advaise the opposition parties, with intention of bringing true democracy in ethiopia, to to organize them selves before the go for comptetion.