Ethiopian PM gets new party ahead of 2020 polls
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STAFF REPORTER
- Posted On 23-11-2019, 11:20AM
ADDIS ABABA - A new dawn beckoned in Ethiopia following historic merging of Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF), an ethnic based coalition that has dominated the country's politics.
Fronted by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, the new Prosperity Party had been in the offing for the last decade, but gained momentum when Ahmed seized power in 2018.
Planned to rebrand the coalition have faced internal resistance before, but Thursday's success would be a new dawn for Ahmed, a Nobel Peace Prize winner, facing ethnic animosity in his own country.
After the merger, Ahmed said "the unanimous decision passed today to merge the Party is a crucial step in harnessing our energy to work toward a shared vision."
The Ethiopian leader added that Prosperity Party is "committed to strengthening and applying a true federal system, which recognizes the diversity and contributions of all Ethiopians."
The Tigrayan People's Liberation Front or TPLF, which dominated EPRDF before Abiy became prime minister, refused to participate in Thursday's vote.
EPRDF, which was formed in 1988 ostensibly to fight against Mengistu Haile Mariam's misrule, brought together major ethnic groups, sidelining the minorities.
Meles Zenawi, who led the goverment from 1991 until his death in 2012, came from Tigray region.
"The whole process is a total sham," said Getachew Reda, a senior TPLF member. The prime minister didn't follow the right procedures . . . it was wrong as well as undemocratic," TPLF said.
Despite the party's resistance to join the new movement, sources say that PM Abiy has been in talks with some members but they are yet to broker a deal.
The coalition brought together the TPLF, the Amhara Democratic Party, the Oromo Democratic Party (ODP) and the Southern Ethiopian People's Democratic Movement.
Mr Abiy has promoted his philosophy of medemer, meaning "addition", which is about encouraging everyone's contribution and ending ethnic separatism.
In recent weeks, Ethiopia has been battling with ethnic antagonism, which analysts believe is precipitated by a raft of internal reforms initiated by Abiy Ahmed.
At least 78 people died in Oromiya region following violent clashes between police and supporters of media entrepreneur Jawar Mohammed, an ethnic Oromo like the PM.
Jawar, who has an American passport, has also declared interest for the PM seat, a move that could make 2020 polls dramatic.
Besides the internal squabbles, Abiy is also increasingly being dragged to Somalia incursion, with Jubaland state accusing Ethiopian Non-AMISOM troops of plotting to overthrow Sheikh Ahmed Madobe.
On Thursday, Jubaland leadership wrote to the AU and UN, demanding for immediate withdrawal of the Ethiopian troops, who are closely working with FGS.
While the merger could still escalate internal feuds in Ethiopian government, Mr Ahmed is the ultimate winner since he could further appeal to minority groups who have been secluded for decades.
GAROWE ONLINE
