ESAT News (August 13, 2016)
Party executives of the Oromo Democratic Front (ODF) and Patriotic Ginbot 7 for Unity and Democracy (PG7) said the alliance formed by the two major political parties was well-timed and essential to coordinate the struggle against TPLF tyranny and bring other opposition parties on board under one umbrella.
AG7 and ODF on Friday announced that they have formed an alliance. The Memorandum of Understanding signed by the parties stated that “both parties are fully convinced that a transition from the current TPLF regime towards a new and genuinely federal and democratic state is of utmost urgency.”
Leenco Bati, a member of the executive and head of the public relations with ODF told ESAT that it was high time that political parties come together and double the struggle as TPLF days are counted. He said there were more similarities between and among Ethiopian opposition groups than differences and it was paramount that they work together and lay the foundation for the establishment of a popular government.
Leenco called the formation of the alliance a historic step to bring unity among people and an end to a quarter century of divisive policies of the TPLF. He applauded the solidarity and comradery shown by the Oromiffa and Amharic speaking people in the ongoing uprising against TPLF dictatorial rule.
Neamin Zeleke, a member of the council and head of Diplomacy, Advocacy and Alliance with PG7 said on his part that the two sides have decided to form an alliances after they had come to a consensus on the type of government that would be formed in Ethiopia on the tombs of TPLF. He said a joint committee formed by the two would facilitate the establishment of an alternative political force that would also bring other political parties under one umbrella.
Dr. Getachew Begashaw, Professor of Economics at Harper College who played a key role in the formation of the Alliance noted that the historic move was of paramount importance for a post TPLF Ethiopia that is stable and peaceful. He encouraged others to come together as individual efforts would not bear the desired fruit.
“ODF and PG7 are mindful of the long standing call of the Ethiopian peoples for unity of all opposition political organizations and their strong desire to see that the different political and civic organizations coordinate their efforts and resources to bring an end to the illegitimate and tyrannical regime. Towards this end, the two organizations pledge to work jointly to bring all credible opposition political groups together into a broad democratic coalition,” said the Memorandum of Understanding signed between the two parties.
MoU was signed by Prof. Berhanu Nega, Chairman of PG7 and Leenco Lataa President of ODF representing their respective organizations.