- Opposition Forum blasts EPRDF over exclusionary politics

Opposition Forum blasts EPRDF over exclusionary politics

Reporter - October 28, 2008

The Forum for Democratic Dialogue in Ethiopia has accused the ruling party EPRDF of favoritism and excluding non-allied political forces from the political arena.

The Forum consists of four opposition parties: The United Ethiopian Democratic Forces (UEDF), the Oromo Federalist Democratic Movement (OFDM), the Somali Democratic Alliance Forces (SDAF) and the Union of Tigrians for Democracy and Sovereignty (Arena) and notable personalities like former president Dr. Negasso Gidada and former defense minister Siye Abraha.

At a press conference held on Thursday, members of the Forum accused EPRDF of dropping out every one of their items on the agenda which they had submitted for discussion in parliament.

OFDM chairman Bulcha Demeksa said that whatever proposal they submit to parliament's consultative council, which is chaired by the House Speaker, it is always rejected.

As a manifestation of what they described as total rejection of their agenda, Forum members informed the press on their proposal to make amendments to the speech by President Girma Woldegeorgis in his opening address to the joint session of both chambers of the House three weeks ago.

The Forum released a press statement detailing eighteen items which UEDF and OFDM (two parties of the Forum that have representation in parliament) had presented to the House consultative council but were rejected. Read More.