Ethiopian opposition MPs elect acting representative in parliament

Dec 14, 2005 (ADDIS ABABA) — MPs of the Ethiopian opposition Coalition for Unity and Democracy (CUD) who joined parliament on their own wish have given temporary delegation to two of their colleagues.

The 42 MPs, who met after Prime Minister Meles presented his two-month report to parliament, elected two of their colleagues to facilitate their connections with the office of the National Speaker and to represent them in an orderly manner.

The elected individuals are Samson Woldesenbet and Asefa and their delegation is temporary.

According to the Ethiopian Reporter, the CUD members joined parliament on their personal decision and agreed to meet in 15 days’ time to start well-organized activities, elect a permanent representative and try to draft the way forward for the party.

The MPs said that they had problems on knowing when the parliament meets and the office of the Speaker also had problems with whom to meet and communicate. The office of the Speaker had given them two days to elect their representative in order to resolve the said problems.

The MPs meeting was held following the Speaker’s demand to elect a permanent representative in 15 days’ time.

CUD members were not given chances to give their views in the already held regular sessions, even in the yesterday’s prime minister’s report. The plans to elect a permanent representative is said to resolve these problems.

As of yesterday, 66 CUD MPs have joined parliament.

Earlier in October, Ethiopian lawmakers voted in favor of a ruling party bill to strip boycotting members of parliament of their parliamentary immunity. The opposition CUD had decided to boycott parliament unless a unity government is formed.

(The Reporter/ST)