(EPA)
Leaders and former leader of contending political parties have expressed their expectation that the 11thEPRDF Congress, which is scheduled to open today, would make fundamental changes and pass decisions that allow the youth to take place in the leadership.
All member parties of the ruling Ethiopian Peoples’ Democratic Front (EPRDF) held organizational conferences and pass decisions to bring in the youth to the leadership while veteran Central Committee members were honorably relieved from their duties.
Speaking to The Ethiopian Herald, Deputy Chairperson of the Oromo Federalist Congress Bekele Gerba says that EPRDF member parties have done their level best to accommodate the interest of the youth and address the public’s grievances.
Bekele says that the Oromo Democratic Party (ODP) and Amhara Democratic Party (ADP) took commendable decisions in re-branding themselves to cope up with the socio-economic and political dynamics of the country,stating such major changes did not see from the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF).
The Deputy Chairperson expresses his expectation that EPRDF Congress will bring forward young leaders, taking in to account their responsiveness to the questions of the new generation, and receptiveness to the grievances. “The young leaders would be very responsive, and they would be able to win the hearts and minds of members and non-members of the respective parties.”
Mentioning the fact that there had been calls for new leadership within the Party, Bekele says that the youth accession to power is crucial to address the interest of the young generation, and to put EPRDF in a better form, thereby enhancing its competitiveness in the upcoming general election.
The government has learnt a lot of lessons from the protests and uprising of the past three years andled to measures that not only widenedthe political space, but also set the platform for democratic election, he notes.
By the same token, President of the Ethiopian Democratic Party (EDP), Dr. Chane Kebede says that the distance EPRDF member parties travelled to create a new energetic and dynamic youthful leadership would not only be able to maintain the reform, but also to appropriately implement the laws and amend those that are ineffective.
Dr. Chane notes that the leadership, emblem and program change that took place in ODP and ADP showcased how committed they are to serve the people of the respective states as well the country at large. “For me, the steps that have been taken so far in this regard is a good start, and I believe they are going in the right direction in terms of being able to maintain the reform.”
Similarly, Southern Ethiopian People’s Democratic Movement (SEPDM) was undertaking leadership change that is expected to fulfill the demands and desires of the close to 55 nation and nationalities that live under the State.
“I believe that a young and educated leadership that will be able to work committedly, enforce the law and answer the demands of the people will come of the Congress.”
The leadership of EPRDF is expected to come up with different ideas and efficient structure that would materialize the public’s demand for synergy and cooperation and building a society that believe in reasonable and idea-driven politics, he notes.
Another politician and former president of the Ethiopian Democratic Party (EDP), Mushe Semu states that EPRDF member parties’ decision to bring in young leadersto the fornt is instrumental to create hope for the public, and to speed up the ongoing reforms.
Though a bit delayed, the decisions would enhance the parties’ adaptability for the existing and future changes and enhance their organizational efficiency. He also mentions that succession needs to be the parties’ internal culture to keep them with the current socio-economic and political dynamics.
Stating the organizational conferences of EPRDF member parties were influenced by the long quest of change and inter-party frictions, the politician points out that the Party has reached at the crucial stage to keep its harmony and ensure public acceptance.
“If EPRDF Congress concludes with different structure and approach that address public’s legitimate concerns and ensure individual and collective rights of citizens, the Party would enhance its capacity, which helps in furthering the existing reforms.”
He says that inviting members of the contesting parties in the organizational conferences would ensure solidarity and brings the opportunity for parties to work for common goal.
Bekele notes that the political landscape must be open enough so that the contesting parties may have free space to run, and the media is accessible to every running party. The reform must go on as far as the electoral board is concerned,and some affirmative actions must take place so that the parties that will be running for the election would be become competitive.
Mushe for his part says that EPRDF Congress needs to bring in a definite economic and political philosophy, and ways to address maladministration, injustice, corruption, wastefulness and abuse of power. Though the past disorders and conflicts in parts of the country is significantly reduced, the government should enhance its capacity to control sporadic conflicts and exercise its power in accordance with law to deter unlawfulness.
Applauding government’s initiate to invite exiled political parties to the country, he notes that the EPRDF Congress is expected to make decision to open free space for local contesting political parties to operate freely and contribute to the realization of multiparty system.
BY BILAL DERSO
The Ethiopian Herald NP October 3, 2018
Comments are closed.