Ethiopia’s govt urges opposition to take over capital’s administation
Oct 28, 2005 (ADDIS ABABA) — The Ethiopian government urged the opposition parties that won in Addis Ababa to discharge their responsibilities by joining the Federal Parliament and by taking over the Addis Ababa City Administration, the official news agency ENA reported.
In its weekly statement on Friday, the Ministry of Information said the Federal Government has opted to patiently wait until a reasonable period of time for the winner parties to take over the city administration in consistency with the delegation of authority bestowed upon them by the electorate of the city.
“Nevertheless, given the status of Addis Ababa as a major political, economic and cultural centre of the country and given that it is a hub of continental and international diplomacy a lasting solution must be found to address the current crisis.
“Therefore, taking this into consideration, the winners are expected to adopt a dispassionate resolution. The parties expected to adopt this resolution must consider the time squandered by suspending the issue before reaching a solution prohibit residents of the city from getting essential services which is their right,” it said.
It said a vacuum has been created in the city because of the winner parties’ refusal to take over the city’s administration, according to the authority delegated to them through the elections which in essence, means that a constitutional crisis was created by the winner parties in Addis Ababa.
Although the Federal Government, under such circumstances, has the right to take a resolute measure, it is monitoring the developments with maximum tolerance asserting that the constitutional right of the residents to be ruled by the party of their choice must be respected, it indicated.
“It must be remembered that the opening session of the 3rd term of the House of Peoples’ Representatives of the FDRE decided to continue with the incumbent administration as a provisional measure to fill the power vaccum in the City. The House also authorized the government to engage in activities to seek a sustainable solution,” it said.
Accordingly, it said, the incumbent City Administration is now engaged in running its regular function. “In addition to approving a capital budget to finalize the on-going infrastructural development projects, is is also engaged in extensive work to address the illegal activities that were committed during the interim period before the planned transfer of the city administration.”
Main predicaments faced by the provisional City Administration, according to the statement, include, the emergence of street vendors, illicit construction and sanitation lapses.
The Federal Government, it said, is committed, as always, to work relentlessly to strengthen and sustain the regular and peaceful life of the city.
(ENA/ST)