Birtukan’s group considers
forming new party
By Kirubel Tadesse (Capital)
After the National Electoral Board (NEB) decided in favor of Ayele
Chamiso and awarded the party’s name, ‘CUDP’ to
his group, Birtukan’s group, which is forming a union with
parliamentarians led by Temesgen Zewdie (MP), is considering forming
a new party and obtaining a new name, Birtukan Mediksa told Capital.
“We are discussing the option of forming a new political party
so that we can obtain legal status. It is one possibility but the
door to further struggle to obtain our party’s name is not
a dead option yet,” said Birtukan, “whatever we decide,
one thing remains, we will keep the program and policies of the
CUD.”
Earlier this week, Engineer Hailu Shawl’s appointed acting
President, Abayneh Berhanu, announced plans to sue NEB and to call
a general assembly. Abayneh also disclosed that more than forty
elected people are facilitating the general assembly expected to
be called soon.
Birtukan told Capital that it is only the executive committee which
can call the general assembly. “No individual can call a general
assembly; whether he is a chairman or a member. Even if it is unlikely
we will be called to attend the so called general assembly, we will
not accept and see it as a general assembly since it did not emanate
from the right source.”
After losing the struggle to secure the CUDP name in appeals made
to the court and NEB, parliamentarians led by Temesgen Zewdie (MP)
are planning to make their participation in parliament as a parliamentary
group, sources told Capital.
The victory sign which was used by the CUDP for the May 2005 election
is now the sign of Lidetu Ayalew’s EUDP-Medhin party. Temesgen
issued a strong opposition protesting the decision saying that it
is unjust. “First they gave our sign which is found on our
stamp to another party, now they gave the party to those who do
not represent the coalition,” Temesgen stated.
Engineer Hailu Shawl is expected to arrive in Addis Ababa in the
coming few days and it is reported that he is in good health. Sources
explain that even if Engineer Hailu calls a general assembly, its
legitimacy will be seriously questioned as Birtukan, second in command
of the former coalition, and other executive committee members who
support her, denounce the general assembly.
Attempts to bring together Engineer Hailu and Birtukan’s group,
which was earlier led by Dr. Berhanu Nega, to discuss and resolve
their differences have failed and according to Birtukan, reconciliation
is unlikely. |
