13 Eritrean opposition groups agree to on joint programme

By Tesfa alem Tekle

May 12, 2008 (ADDIS ABABA) — The Eritrean democratic alliance(EDA), a coalition of 13 Eritrean opposition organizations winded up its Addis Ababa congress passing a series of agreements.

“All member groups have unanimously agreed on charters and by-laws which last year divided the alliance into 3 blocs.” Qernelious Osman, leader of Democratic Movement for the Liberation of Eritrean Kunama (DMLEK), one wing member of EDA told Sudan Tribune.

The different political forces on their last day of conference on Sunday, which lasted till late hours ,have made a land mark agreement for a new push to throw away Isayas’s government. Says Qernelious.

“EDA’s 13 member groups have completely agreed to leave aside all the political differences and questions of future power sharing and put all their collective strength to depose the dictatorial Eritrean regime so as a democratic order would be inplaced in Eritrea” he added.

According to Qernelious the struggle of deposing Isayas government will be on the ways and best interests of every political force with the options available on the table.

“Political forces under EDA umbrella can take peaceful struggle or military action when necessary separately or jointly” He said.

The congress was concluded by electing 26 executive and legislative bodies who will be on the leadership for a year long.

“Recently EDA is granted with promises of large-scale support from world governments if it came up with strong unity in its latest meeting.”

(ST)