Second Opposition Faction Preparing Boycott of Ethiopia Vote
Voice of America - April 14, 2008

The leadership of the Oromo Federalist Democratic Movement voted Monday to join a boycott when Ethiopia votes in critical municipal elections next Sunday.

The OFDM had been the largest opposition party participating last Sunday, as Ethiopians voted for the first time since 2005, when post-election protests turned deadly. Two hundred people were killed in the violence, and thousands were jailed, including most opposition leaders.

OFDM leader Bulcha Demeksa says his party had decided not to join the boycott for the first part of the vote.

But Monday, he accused election officials and the ruling Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front of massive intimidation and rigging, and said his party would join the boycott. Read More.