ESAT News
After new factions created by the Ethiopian government within the oppositions Unity for Democracy and Justice (UDJ) and All Ethiopian People’s Party (AEUP) were recognised as legitimate and official parties taking part in the May 2015 general election by the Electoral Board, the offices of the parties have been surrounded by police and the existing leaders were ordered to give up their offices to the other faction.
UDJ led by Belay Fekadu, which has been denied recognition by the Board, had yesterday held its national council’s meeting. The presser it was set to give later on was disrupted after police occupied the premises. Abebe Akalu, National Council Chairman of the party said the meeting was set to talk about future actions, but it was cut short due to police’s illegal action. He said all regional branches of UDJ have been told not to give up their offices to the new factions led by Tigestu Awolu, whom he said is “linked with the regime”.
Before it was suspended from the election by the Board, UDJ had called a demonstration in Addis Abeba and Dessie town on February 1, 2015. Its publications Millions’ Voice and the Voice of Freedom have also been suspended.
Similarly, AEUP’s office in Addis Abeba had been surrounded by police thus employees were unable to do their work.
After the National Electoral Board of Ethiopia had announced on Thursday that it had given authenticity to the factions that “respect the Board” has been a talking point amongst Ethiopians.
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