Political Polarization Challenging Reform: Parties

 The political reform that Ethiopia has implemented for the past 12 months, which led to the widening of the political space, has gained the Horn African country appreciation from its nationals and the global community.

The reform has led to the release of thousands of prisoners including politicians, return of long-time exiled politicians and activists as well as removal of names of rebel groups from the country’s terrorist list.

Professor Merera Gudina, Chairman of the Oromo Federalist Congress (OFC) told ENA that Ethiopia is now in a new political juncture which markedly differs from the previous stances since PM Abiy Ahmed invited the opposition for discussion.

“During the previous years, the government has been criminalizing opposition political parties. Now the Prime Minister is trying to change that type of relation, which could be a good trend in the history of Ethiopian politics,” he said.

Noting the positive developments that allowed wider political space, Merera criticized the government for not owning “a clear political roadmap”.

 “We don’t have a realistic political roadmap on the ground. We don’t have a clear strategy on our destination for tomorrow and what we intend to do today. That is why some of outstanding issues are still not settled,” he added.

This is not the first time for Merera to criticize the government for not having and failed to revealing its roadmap that shows the possible destination of the reform, which was downplayed by PM Abiy Ahmed.  

While addressing the closing of the two-day discussion on fruits and challenges of the reform last week, the Premier has downplayed the idea saying that the government has a document that clearly show the beginning and destination of the reform.

Noting that some scholars and politicians have been propagating the importance of a roadmap to the ongoing reforms, the PM underlined that a strategy that displays the path that the government chooses.

Merera, who believed that the polarization is threatening the reform, blamed some of the opposition for holding extreme positions saying “such extreme positions are nothelpful.”

 “If groups are expect that they can get whatever they want is impossible. Therefore, they have to start behaving themselves and understand those dreams should be limited in order to accommodate others,” he said.

Chairman of Ethiopian National Movement (ENM), Eng. Yilikal Getnet said Ethiopia has been witnessing a new sprit and optimism due to the reform.

Yilikal, who have been considered one of the critics on the government, said the measures taken as part of the reforms including inviting exiled opposition forces and engaging civic societies would be taken as a confidence building.

 “Some of the reforms are really excellent since many political prisoners were released and the media outlets have been trying to entertain various views. Of course, these could serve as a confidence building, but are not absolute guarantee to solve the country’s structural problems,” he indicated.

The political narration that have been preached for a long period of time and stressed on differences have been fueling divergence in the country.

Yilikal urged the need for all play role in nurturing the common values of communities, which maximize peaceful coexistance and tolerance.

 “The problem is really deep-rooted and we need to articulate on our common values. Look! We don’t expect a miracle by just saying Ethiopia is a great country and without doing a tangible work on the ground,” he added.       

Ethiopian Democratic Party (EDP) President, Dr. Chane Kebede appreciates the ongoing reforms, which he believed significantly changed the political landscape.

However, Chane said that some issues and acts particularly the internal displacement that triggered by the polarization are challenging the reform.

Political parties and civic society organizations should play their role in promoting reason so that all problems will be solved through democratic way, he added.

 “I think everyone of us have a role to play. We need to pass this critical time by bringing together all political parties to the middle road,” he said.