Taye Kebede
Since
the days Ethiopia started to follow a multiparty system 25 years ago, the
country has achieved many successes, and bypassed various challenges. The
country has also moved far in regards to realizing the democratic rights that
are put on the constitution.
As
any citizen has the right to freedom of association or political organization
as per article 31, which states “every person has the right to freedom of
association for any cause or purpose. Organizations formed, in violation of
appropriate laws, or to illegally subvert the constitutional order, or which
promote such activities are prohibited”, the country's democracy has been
widened as much as possible. As a result, many civic organizations and
political organizations that have important role in strengthening the democracy
have been registered and operate in a legal manner.
Following
the right to organize, various political parties were legally created and have
been operating by registering with the Ethiopian Board of Election. Especially,
from the days of the ratification of the constitution in the aftermath of the
transitional government up to the the general election that was held almost two
years ago, these political parties have run in five elections by respecting the
constitution and constitutional order.
However,
because elections are decided by the choice the people make, and not by the
will of the ruling party or the government, the opposition parties were not
able to get the majority vote. In my belief, three reasons have contributed for
the oppositions not getting the majority vote. The first; the oppositions tend
to prefer foreign forces driven democracy instead of believing and winning over
their people.
The
second reason – except for amplifying the frustration created within the people
as a result of various social interaction and cite the few things they
understand about neo-liberalism thinking, they are unable to provide clear and
concise policies and strategies of their own to the public, while the third
reason has to do with the fact that they tend to create alliance within
themselves without any trust between them in ‘my enemy’s enemy is my friend’
kind of thinking, which often led them to fight and quarrel within themselves
in the presence of the public.
And
this situation has led them not to get any seat in the parliament. And that has
facilitated the conditions for a Dominant Party political System that is seen
in some democratic countries of the world like Japan, Malaysia, and South
Africa.
However,
we can recall that the government has recently stated that it will negotiate
with the peacefully operating opposition parties, as there are people that
support these parties and the voice of the people has to be heard. For this,
the government has pledged to do things that range from improving the election
laws up to amending the constitution, if necessary, in order to widen the
democratic space.
Of
course as such kind of thinking is expected from a party and government that
follows democratic system and sees democracy as an issue of life and death, the
path that is taken by the government is heartening and should be encouraged.
Currently,
notwithstanding the encouraging talks the government is holding with the
opposition parties, the commitment to widen the democracy should be
strengthened at the needed pace. The commitment of the government to widen the
democratic space should have tangible expressions/outcomes. I think there
should be caution so that the opposition don’t go into unnecessary bickering by
misunderstanding it.
The
outline of the negotiation and talks that will be held with the oppositions
should be clearly identified and garner the necessary agreement. When this
happens, the ruling party and government can play their own role to further
strengthen the democratic system by reaffirming their commitment. Otherwise, it
can give the wrong message to the people like we are hearing from some
opposition – they are saying ‘let’s share power’.
Thus,
outlining it not only will help show the correct path that should be taken, but
it is also can be taken as taking one step towards the commitment to widen the
democratic space. In contrast, the negotiation that will be held with political
parties will help in pointing out the problems that exist in the building of
multiparty system on the part of the government. They could serve as a platform
for the government to get inputs.
And
such act on one hand help to widen the democracy space in the country, while on
the other hand it helps raise the voice of the opposition parties. And the
spirit of participatory democracy at the Parliament will be strengthened.
In
my belief, the dialogue with the opposition parties aims at widening the
democracy space like I said above, and has nothing to do with sharing power.
And it shouldn’t either. But in a manner that seems like they are after seizing
government power through foreign forces pressure instead of the constitutional
path like past times, the opposition parties still link the government's
commitment to widen the democratic path not with strengthening the multiparty
system but with sharing power.
Truth
be told, not only is this thinking of theirs is wrong – it comes from not
understanding the constitution. Article 8 of the FDRE constitution states that
'all sovereign power resides in the Nations, Nationalities and Peoples of
Ethiopia'.
And
as this article clearly shows, it is only possible to seize political power
through the consent of the people, who are the sovereign owner of the ultimate
power. The people appoint who they want, and demote who they don’t want.
It
has a key role in the observance of rule of law, in facilitating the
development and the country’s peace and stability. As I have mentioned earlier,
if there is no rule of law, it is impossible to think about peace. And if there
is no peace, it is impossible to think about development and democracy.
Anti-development and undemocratic proclivities will take over. And such
situation will undoubtedly be a thorn to a country like ours that made peace,
democracy and development its existential issue.
Of
course, creating a lasting peace is a must in order to maintain the development
and democratic order building Ethiopia has started. This is because; our
country sees bringing rapid development and getting out of aid, and building
democracy as an existential issue. So, the country should ensure rule of law in
order to control activities that might pose threat to its national security.
When
there is rule of law, we will have peace. And when we have peace, we can
realize our development and democracy works. Rules are not biased. Every one of
us are equal before the law. We only can take advantage from the national
benefits when there is rule of law.
Moe
than anything, we will respect and protect our constitution.
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