New opposition coalition seeks "renegotiation" of border ruling

Fifteen Ethiopian opposition parties have formed a “rainbow coalition” to challenge the decade-long political hold of the current government. Veteran politician Dr Beyene Petros told IRIN the newly-formed United Ethiopian Democratic Forces (UEDF) was the largest coalition opposition force within the country. Its birth follows a seven-day conference in Washington DC where opposition leaders agreed on a 10-point action plan for the impoverished nation. Beyene, who will chair the UEDF for the first six months, said its primary focus would be to defeat the current government in the 2005 elections. The Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) has held power in Ethiopia since the overthrow of the former regime in 1991. Beyene said the coalition group would have a “minimal political agenda” until the organisation managed to achieve office. But a central manifesto pledge would be the “re-negotiation” of the controversial boundary ruling that has placed contested territories in Eritrea. “We do not think the current government has been forceful enough in defending our position,” said Beyene, a professor at Addis Ababa University. “Our position is a rejection of the ruling in a way because it has to be re-negotiated as far as we are concerned.” Beyene heads the Council of Alternative Forces for Peace and Democracy CAFPDE – one of the 15 groups that joined the conference. Among the other main parties are the All Ethiopian Unity Party (AEUP), the Oromo National Congress (ONC) and the United Ethiopian Democratic Party (UEDP). They aim to embark on a nationwide tour in Ethiopia upon return from the Washington-held conference to set out their political agenda. Beyene said a major breakthrough had come in persuading certain opposition groups within the coalition to lay down their arms and pursue their fight through the ballot box. “Many parties that had armed struggle as their agenda have now committed to peaceful struggle to bring about change,” he told IRIN from Washington. He said the coalition’s policies would include privatisation, market reforms and greater press freedom. A national council, made up of two officials from each party, will control policy and direction of the UEDF, while a 15-person executive committee will provide leadership. The UEDF will also have a “council of elders” made up of prominent Ethiopians who will act as advisers to both committees.