AEUP says an all inclusive conference is important more than ever.

Ethiopia: AEUP Calls for an All Inclusive Conference

30 August 2012 [ESAT]

The All Ethiopians Unity Party asked the ruling EPRDF to call for an all-inclusive conference where details will be outlined to enfranchise the Ethiopian people.

The party made the call for political players both at home and in diaspora; civic organizations, elders, intelligentsia, farmers, traders, workers and the ruling EPRDF and constituent parties. The party underscored the precarious political environment in the country and emphasised the need for an all-inclusive conference to avoid a possible serious political and security crises.

According to the official call made by the party the conference will create a forum to avert any possible strife and dangerous political crises; and chart a new political roadmap for the country.

The participants are to reflect on the past two decades of largely troubled political process and draw a new way for the country that meets the democratic aspirations of the Ethiopian people. The current political structure that is almost entirely dominated by the ruling EPRDF needs to be replaced with a transitional council. According to the call the party believes demands made by Ethiopian teachers and the Muslim community needs to be addressed as soon as possible and the conference will be the ideal forum to respond to the popular demands set by the two groups.

AEUP believe the large scale layoffs undergone by Ethio Telecom and other government institutions are imprudent and those purged need to be returned back to their jobs. The formation of independent judiciary, free media and nonpartisan election board, and security apparatus are some of the institutions AEUP said will need to be reformed for democracy to flourish in Ethiopia.