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Mahlet Fasil @MahletFasil
Addis Ababa, December 9, 2020 – In a statement issued today, the opposition party Oromo Federalist Congress (OFC) says that despite having the will, it is “extremely difficult” for it to participate in the next elections under the conditions existing in the country.
The OFC, led by veteran opposition figure Dr. Merera Gudina, said her party cannot participate in elections in which many of its leaders and rank-and-file members remained imprisoned, most of its offices are closed for the government and the movements of its members are restricted. Therefore, the OFC has put forward its demands and suggestions for peaceful and democratic elections.
The OFC currently has some of its leaders and influential members in prison, notably Bekele Gerba, its first vice president, and Jawar Mohammed, its member (featured on the cover image) facing criminal and terrorism charges. They were arrested following the government crackdown on the violence that gripped Ethiopia following the June 29 assassination of prominent Oromo artist Hachalu Hundessa. According to the government itself, around 10,000 people were arrested in Oromia regional state, Addis Ababa and in the Oromia special zone surrounding Finfinne. In September, the OFC said that about 80% of its members outside the capital Addis Ababa were among those imprisoned in the Oromia region.
“As OFC has repeatedly stated in the past, it is extremely difficult for it to participate in elections when the majority of its members, from Kebelle (small districts) that are competing, coordinating and observing elections are incarcerated, and most of their offices, except their headquarters, are closed, ”reads the statement released by the party today. The OFC has also called for an immediate effort to reach a national consensus before holding the elections.
The OFC further said it was willing to participate in the election as long as its leadership and rank-and-file members are immediately released, its offices are reopened and its members have the right to operate in peace to prepare for the election. AS
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