Ethiopia’s ruling party and opposition groups debate growth plan
By Tesfa-Alem Tekle
October 9, 2010 (ADDIS ABABA) – The ruling Ethiopian Peoples’ Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) and, nine opposition political parties held their first national debate since prime minister Meles Zenawi led his party to a landslide victory in May’s elections.
Thursday’s discussions deliberated on the country’s recently launched Growth and Transformation Plan (GTP) where Ethiopia hopes to boost its current economy to 15% by the end of the 5-year long plan.
Opposition parties were briefed first by professionals from the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development. The Ethiopia Democratic Party (EDP) refrained from commenting on the proposals saying that it wants to wait and see first the repercussions of the GTP.
The ruling EPRDF party on Tuesday established a new 23-member cabinet after massive win of 545 seats of the country’s 547 total seats.
Despite the huge victory, which was strongly criticized by opposition groups at the time, the EPRDF promised to work with the opposition parties on issues of national interest, provided that they are willing to abide by the constitution.
Approached by Sudan Tribune a number of Ethiopians hailed the joint consultation aimed to take the appropriate steps to realize the country’s growth and transformation plan.
“This is a historic event that reflects a genuine political atmosphere,” says Alemayo Tesfay, a local journalist.
“As far as they (opposition parties) continue their struggle in a peaceful manner and being loyal oppositions, they no doubt would have a major input to the realization of the Ethiopian renaissance,” he said adding “,the move taken by the Ethiopian government is exemplary to other African countries as it amplifies political tolerance”
28 year old Lili Araya, currently working as a nurse in a private clinic, said government’s invitation to opposition parties to take part on national issues is “golden chance” for them to convince people of the roles they could play in the future.
“Ethiopian opposition groups need to actively take part on the launched development plan and also in other national issues in joint with the current government and people of Ethiopia,” she said.
Some opposition parties have declined to accept the invitation by Ethiopian government.
Leader of MEDREK-ARENA, country’s biggest opposition group, the former guerilla fighter and once a close ally to PM Meles Zenawi, Gebru Asrat on Tuesday told Sudan Tribune, “the development and transformation plan and other growing bluffs by the ruling party are just false propagandas. We call them camouflage slogans.”
“Our party won’t take part on such discussions of strategies and policies designed by the ruling party we don’t accept,” he said.
(ST)