Western diplomats devising coalition govt in Ethiopia – report

ADDIS ABABA, June 28, 2005 (Addis Zena) — Western diplomats have started exerting efforts to devise a structure to the new government, believing that the new structure will enable Ethiopia to come out from the agony it is in now.

Some American experts have suggested the formation of a coalition government between the ruling coalition Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) and the opposition and holding of a conference that allows the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF), Ethiopian People’s revolutionary Party (EPRP), both organizations did not take part in the recent elections, because the Ethiopian constitution doesn’t allow organizations that are engaged in armed struggle, and other opposition parties to take part.

Prime Minister Meles Zenawi comparing with the other leaders surrounding him has a moderate stand and supports the formation of a coalition government with the opposition.

However, the EPRDF is currently divided in to two parts. Tefera Walwa — minister of capacity building — and Bereket Simon — minister of information, according to the election results both ministers have lost during the recent elections — and other ministers have rejected the idea of forming a coalition government, and Sebhat Nega, former Tigray People’s Liberation Front secretary general, said the coalition government should not include the Coalition for Unity and Democracy (CUD).

Sebhat said he does not want the CUD to be included in the coalition government, because the CUD is full of die-hard Amharas and members of the former Dergue regime.