From our sources in Addis Ababa, the National Electoral Board of Ethiopia has given its approval to the party registration application of the Unity for Democracy and Justice party.
The board has responded within the time frame allowed by law. UDJ officials and supporters are happy by this news and look forward to continue the peaceful struggle for freedom, democracy and national unity.
Friday, August 22, 2008
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
THE NEBE SHALL MEET THIS FRIDAY TO DISCUSS UDJ
From reliable sources in Addis Ababa, the National Board of Electoral Election (NEBE) will meet for the first time on Friday August 8th 2008 to discuss about the application for party registration that Unity for Democracy and Justice Party (UDJ) submitted
It is to be recalled that the registrar of the NEBE has asked for 10 minor corrections to be made on the applications. The UDJ then resubmitted the application making appropriate corrections on items that needed to be corrected and more clarifications on those that were not corrected.
The issues of using the name "Andenet (Unity)" as a single word and putting the green-yellow-red color on the party logo were two of the ten items that were flagged by the NEBE's registrar.
The UDJ in its re-submission did not make any changes on these two items. However, It attached more addendum that makes the legal argument to why using the name "andenet" as a single word and the green-yellow-red color on the logo, do not violate guidelines and statutes of the NEBE.
It is to be recalled that the registrar of the NEBE has asked for 10 minor corrections to be made on the applications. The UDJ then resubmitted the application making appropriate corrections on items that needed to be corrected and more clarifications on those that were not corrected.
The issues of using the name "Andenet (Unity)" as a single word and putting the green-yellow-red color on the party logo were two of the ten items that were flagged by the NEBE's registrar.
The UDJ in its re-submission did not make any changes on these two items. However, It attached more addendum that makes the legal argument to why using the name "andenet" as a single word and the green-yellow-red color on the logo, do not violate guidelines and statutes of the NEBE.
Monday, August 4, 2008
ADDIS NEGER CHIEF EDITOR ARRESTED
Reliable sources from Addis Ababa have confirmed that Mr. Mesfin Negash, chief editor Addis Neger, one of the popular newspapers in Ethiopia has been arrested today August 4, 2008 at a police station in Addis Ababa, locally known as “Sostegna Police Tabia”.
Mr. Mesfin was arrested because Addis Neger newspaper reported that the attorney of Tewodros Kassahun has said that he would sue the presiding judge of the case itself, after the judge unprofessionally and illegally declined to listen a motion that the defense presented .
The Presiding Judge is Mr Leul Gebremariam, one of the tree judges who last year, illegally sentenced to death CUD leaders, reporters and human right activists.
In Ethiopia most of the judges do not have the ability to function independently. They are either fearful of the regime or loyal to it.
Therefore this arrest of Mr Mesfin Negjas can be seen as a clear indication that the EPRDF regime does not have regard to the constitution and even its own law that it has recently passed in parliament. It is to be recalled that the recently passed press law does have some provisions that protect reporters from going to jail due to reporting they made on their newspapers.
Mr. Mesfin was arrested because Addis Neger newspaper reported that the attorney of Tewodros Kassahun has said that he would sue the presiding judge of the case itself, after the judge unprofessionally and illegally declined to listen a motion that the defense presented .
The Presiding Judge is Mr Leul Gebremariam, one of the tree judges who last year, illegally sentenced to death CUD leaders, reporters and human right activists.
In Ethiopia most of the judges do not have the ability to function independently. They are either fearful of the regime or loyal to it.
Therefore this arrest of Mr Mesfin Negjas can be seen as a clear indication that the EPRDF regime does not have regard to the constitution and even its own law that it has recently passed in parliament. It is to be recalled that the recently passed press law does have some provisions that protect reporters from going to jail due to reporting they made on their newspapers.
Sunday, August 3, 2008
Bay Area Residents held a successful townhall meeting with Professor Mesfin and Ato Asrat Tassie:
Professor Mesfin Woldemariam and Ato Asrat Tassie held an afternoon townhall meeting with Bay Area Residents. Close to 120 people attended the meeting. In his address, Professor Mesfin reiterated Andenet’s unwavering stance on choosing peaceful means of struggle to bring about positive change in Ethiopia. He stressed that it is possible to change Woyane, but that we need to change ourselves first. He indicated that the Ethiopian Constitution accepts all international laws that protect the means of peaceful struggle. There is nothing in the constitution that prohibits Andenet from engaging in peaceful struggle. But, to succeed in this form of struggle, a strong organizational foundation needs to be established. And that the Diaspora has a responsibility to help the struggle in any way we can. He said that although Woyane has military strength, Andenet has a moral superiority because of the ideals it stands for.
He also chastised Woyane’s perpetual effort to put the Tigrean people and the rest of the Ethiopian people at loggerheads and reiterated that Tigreans are increasingly becoming aware of the scheme. He indicated that there are a great many Tigreans that do not support Woyane and that it is a mistake to lump all Tigreans as Woyane sympathizers. In contrast, he added, there are many non-Tigreans that wholeheartedly accept Woyane’s ways and serve as instruments of suppression.
Ato Asrat Tassie on his part stressed that peaceful struggle does not equal subservience. He said Andenet is determined to implement strong and spirited struggle using means protected by the Ethiopian Constitution. He said peaceful struggle probably requires more bravery than other forms of struggle since in peaceful struggle you confront an armed opponent with your bare hands.
A long and orderly question and answer session was conducted where a wide range of issues were raised.
Elders from the audience presented ‘Thank You’ gifts to the guests on behalf of the Andenet San Jose and Andenet Oakland Support Associations. The gifts were imprinted with text that describes the appreciation that Ethiopians in the Bay Area have for these great leaders.
Live updates of the Unity for Democracy & Justice Party (UDJ) Officials Public Meeting in Los Angeles
Please post LA updates here
Saturday, August 2, 2008
Young Intellectuals of the Bay Area had a night out with Professor Mesfin and Ato Asrat Tassie
Professor Mesfin Woldemariam and Ato Asrat Tasie held an unprecedented evening exclusively with college students of Ethiopian descent. All of the major and prestigious universities in the Bay Area--including UC Berkeley, Stanford, San Francisco State University, San Jose State and California State University--were represented at the event. Close to 25 students were in attendance.
The event started with students introducing themselves, and expressing their views, and aspirations for their country. Most stated that they never had a chance to converse about Ethiopia at this level.
After dinning and winning, Professor Mesfin made a moving speech in English regarding the country. He was taken by suprise, and could not hide his emotions about the presence of this youthful and intellectual group, some of whome were even born in the US and others that came while they were still toddlers. His speech mainly was a historical perspective and a present day analysis of the realities in Ethiopia. He assured them that, if we succeed in forming a true democratic government, Ethiopia has a very high chance of being the Japan of Africa within a generation.
There was a full and lively participation on the Q&A. The suggestions and questions included:-
i) What has Andenet learned from the failures of Kinijit?
ii)What are the education, health, foreign relations and other policies of the party?
iii) What is the strategy of Andenet party to lead the people in the struggle for democracy?
iv) What is the expectation of the party and the support groups from the students? How can students contribute?
v)How can we trust Andenet Party's promise to install a democratic government if it assumes power?
vi) Beyond the struggle for democracy, what are the bread and butter issues/policies that the party provides as an alternative?
Both Professor Mesfin and Ato Asrat Tassie were so eloquent,transparent and elaborative on responding to the questions raised. The youth and intellectual students were very much satisfied with the replies. They all vowed, at the end, to eagerly and attentively follow the political and non-political developments in Ethiopia, to attend future actvities organised by the support chapters, contribute their best, and also motivate their fellow students to do the same.
The event ended with cultural dances and picture ceremonies with the guests.
The event was organized by Oakland and San Jose Andenet/Kinijit Support Chapters. It took place in San Jose, Friday Aug.1st, at 7:00pm. It ended past mid night.
The event started with students introducing themselves, and expressing their views, and aspirations for their country. Most stated that they never had a chance to converse about Ethiopia at this level.
After dinning and winning, Professor Mesfin made a moving speech in English regarding the country. He was taken by suprise, and could not hide his emotions about the presence of this youthful and intellectual group, some of whome were even born in the US and others that came while they were still toddlers. His speech mainly was a historical perspective and a present day analysis of the realities in Ethiopia. He assured them that, if we succeed in forming a true democratic government, Ethiopia has a very high chance of being the Japan of Africa within a generation.
There was a full and lively participation on the Q&A. The suggestions and questions included:-
i) What has Andenet learned from the failures of Kinijit?
ii)What are the education, health, foreign relations and other policies of the party?
iii) What is the strategy of Andenet party to lead the people in the struggle for democracy?
iv) What is the expectation of the party and the support groups from the students? How can students contribute?
v)How can we trust Andenet Party's promise to install a democratic government if it assumes power?
vi) Beyond the struggle for democracy, what are the bread and butter issues/policies that the party provides as an alternative?
Both Professor Mesfin and Ato Asrat Tassie were so eloquent,transparent and elaborative on responding to the questions raised. The youth and intellectual students were very much satisfied with the replies. They all vowed, at the end, to eagerly and attentively follow the political and non-political developments in Ethiopia, to attend future actvities organised by the support chapters, contribute their best, and also motivate their fellow students to do the same.
The event ended with cultural dances and picture ceremonies with the guests.
The event was organized by Oakland and San Jose Andenet/Kinijit Support Chapters. It took place in San Jose, Friday Aug.1st, at 7:00pm. It ended past mid night.
Friday, August 1, 2008
Thursday Night Dinner
Oakland and San_Jose Andenet/Kinijit Chapters held a Dinner with Professor Mesfin W/Mariam and Ato Asrat Tasse.
The Dinner was held in Honer of the Andenet Officials who arrived at the San_Jose Air Port Thursday July 31, at 11:20PM Local Time. The invited guests were honoraries and dignitaries in the Bay Area who, one way or the other have contributed for the democratic struggle in Ethiopia. Around thirty people were in attendance.
A very open and lively discussion was held on issues such as;
i) is Woyane the 'Enemy'; if not who is?
ii) Non-violent peaceful struggle; legal vs illegal, principle vs convenience
iii)Intra party Democracy
iv) The Role and Contribution of the Diaspora
v) etc.
This evening, Friday August 1st, a very special program for the youth, college/university students is arranged.
Saturday Afternoon, is the major Town Hall Meeting in San Jose.
The Dinner was held in Honer of the Andenet Officials who arrived at the San_Jose Air Port Thursday July 31, at 11:20PM Local Time. The invited guests were honoraries and dignitaries in the Bay Area who, one way or the other have contributed for the democratic struggle in Ethiopia. Around thirty people were in attendance.
A very open and lively discussion was held on issues such as;
i) is Woyane the 'Enemy'; if not who is?
ii) Non-violent peaceful struggle; legal vs illegal, principle vs convenience
iii)Intra party Democracy
iv) The Role and Contribution of the Diaspora
v) etc.
This evening, Friday August 1st, a very special program for the youth, college/university students is arranged.
Saturday Afternoon, is the major Town Hall Meeting in San Jose.
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