Washington, DC — We acknowledge the conclusion of Ethiopia's parliamentary elections on May 23, 2010. We commend the people of Ethiopia for their civic participation and note that the voting proceeded peacefully.
We are concerned that international observers found that the elections fell short of international commitments. We are disappointed that U.S. Embassy officials were denied accreditation and the opportunity to travel outside of the capital on Election Day to observe the voting. The limitation of independent observation and the harassment of independent media representatives are deeply troubling.
An environment conducive to free and fair elections was not in place even before Election Day. In recent years, the Ethiopian government has taken steps to restrict political space for the opposition through intimidation and harassment, tighten its control over civil society, and curtail the activities of independent media. We are concerned that these actions have restricted freedom of expression and association and are inconsistent with the Ethiopian government's human rights obligations.
Relevant Links
As voting concludes and the results are announced, we call on all parties to reject violence. We await the final assessments of the electoral process from independent observers, and encourage the government to address in good faith and impartially any concerns and disputes that are raised.
Ethiopia and the United States have a multifaceted relationship and share a number of important interests. We urge the Ethiopian government to ensure that its citizens are able to enjoy their fundamental rights. We will work diligently with Ethiopia to ensure that strengthened democratic institutions and open political dialogue become a reality for the Ethiopian people.
Comments 1 to 5 of 5 Post a comment
Well its good to hear the good old US crying crocodile tears over the spilled milk in Ethiopia. The US and other Westerners have longed known Zenawi to be undemocratic and corrupt, yet everyone scrambled to jump to bed with him and his Human Right hoodlums As always, the seeds for tomorrows regional and internal conflicts are been sown today. If you allow a nation to be misruled for so long by the few with the tacit support of the international community for their own 'national security ' purposes, the end game normally is a chaotic and prolonged strife like those that currently besieges the African continent .It's high time the western world revisits its tacit support for these corrupt ridden leaders on the continent regardless of other concerns. The west should adopt a policy of refusing to do business with any leader serving more than a second term , period.
I am sure the writer of this comment is not an Ethiopian. He/she must be a slave of America or Europe begging them to administer his/her life in a way that is right by the eyes and minds of his/her colonizers (could be psychological colonizers)!!!
Hello Dear
You are right that some individuals who are not from Ethiopian including the old fashined oposition blocks like hailu, beyene merara etc are posting foolish ideas that reflects western ideas and interests. But as Ethiopians we have to unite and tell the big liars that we do not want any fight between us and keep shut your big mouth. We have to tell them the crimes they are committing in Iraq and Afghanistan in the name of democracy.
" .. Election Environment Not 'Free and Fair', Says U.S. .."
What does the AU say?
Has anyone heard from those good-for-nothing lazy bums - or are they still sleeping off yesterday's palm wine?
[If AU was scrapped last week, would we notice?]
On the other hand, maybe the AU (like EU, UN, IMF, World Bank, SW Radio) says a lot - which somehow doesn't get exposure from the euro-centric media