Ethiopia’s ruling party has been holding the much anticipated Council Meeting where it is expected to elect a new chairperson who, according to the law of the land, would be the next Prime Minister. Opposition political parties reflect their views on what they expect from the upcoming Premier.
Lidetu Ayalaew
They suggest their own parts in supporting the efforts of restoring and maintaining peace.
Following the unrest in some parts of the country, in what the incumbent claimed the legitimate good governance demands of the public were hijacked by anti-peace elements, Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn announced his unexpected resignation in a televised address on mid February.
Lidetu Ayalaew, Council Member of Ethiopian Democratic Party, tells The Ethiopian Herald that the new Prime Minister should come up with a new mindset to introduce new practices and perspectives to solve the legitimate demands of the public.
Hence, he/she has to be capable enough to identify the root causes of the problems and be ready to take corrective measures honestly and courageously, he accentuates.
Getaneh Balcha
On his behalf, Getaneh Balcha, Vice Chairperson and Election Affairs Head of Blue Party says that the new Premier, as a responsible citizen in general and head of the government in particular, is expected to be courageous and wise enough to address the questions of the public.
“He must come at the forefront in getting rid of maladministration practices and ensuring good governance,” he stresses.
According to Getaneh, the Premier must create a democratic landscape that enables each and every Ethiopian national move and work freely throughout the country; thereby contribute their share in nation building.
Unity for Democracy and Justice President Tigistu Awelu, also emphasizes on this issue that the leader should exert tremendous efforts in giving priority to ensure peace and security as it is the nucleus of everything that comes at the forefront of other preconditions.
Agreeing with Getaneh, Lidetu says that the Premier has to, before anything else, assess the causes of the problems besides the economic and administrative gaps that the incumbent has already identified so far.
He also emphasizes that the ethnic based propaganda is among the other critical causes which take the lions’ share in aggravating the problems. “So, the new Premier ought to have the gut to touch these political and structural problems which do not, as to me, promote national unity. “
Tigistu Awelu
Tegistu also emphasizes on this issue that the main challenge of all the problems is related to the mindset as the ancestor of every action is thought.”Now, we have to stop propagating about our differences, but focus on those common values which promote national unity,” he emphasizes.
Tegistu underscores that the Constitution visibly states as land is the property of all the nations, nationalities and peoples of Ethiopia. It also clearly indicates that Ethiopia is of all its nations, nationalities and peoples. In other words, the division of the nation in to regional states has nothing to do with that but only for administration purposes, he highlights. “Nevertheless, this is interpreted wrongly and is taken as a golden opportunity for some rent seekers and corrupted ones. And this, as to me, has in turn resulted in regional chauvinism.”
The Constitution has granted all Ethiopian nationals the right to move, live in and work in dignity in any part of the country freely. However, what is happening today is really contrary to that, Tegistu restates.
Professor Beyene Petros
Professor Beyene Petros, Chairperson of the Ethiopian Social Democratic Party and Vice Chairperson and External Affairs Head of Medrek Party on the other hand expects the new Premier to create a democratic atmosphere where anyone, be it a member of political parties or not, can come to power through election.
Concerning the share of opposition political parties, Professor Beyene recommends that any opposition political party that claims to be capable of doing something better for Ethiopia and Ethiopians should play its constructive role practically.
Lidetu also agrees with the Professor’s idea that he believes that opposition parties have their own share in creating the current crisis and aggravating it, they can also play constructive roles. “We can contribute our share in this regard by avoiding the politics of extremism and enmity, thereby create a common understanding, tolerance and negotiation as part of the efforts to settle the situation.”
Tegistu also adds: “We, political parties, have critical differences, so we have to work determinedly to come towards our ultimate goal that is prioritizing our nation. We have to act knowledgeably by forgetting and avoiding the previous politics which promotes enmity and suspicion among ourselves,” he accentuates.
There are different expectations on what the coming Premier will do. However, as the politicians suggest there is a need to cooperate with him. If the ruling party, opposition political parties and the new Premier along his colleagues cooperate, the country could withstand from the current problems.