Ethiopia’s ruling party vows emphasis on unity in face of deepening ethnic divisions

By Addis Getachew

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia (AA) - Ethiopia is struggling to turn the tide as it remains deeply divided along ethnic lines, facing numerous social and economic woes and fighting rebels, as well as being under unprecedented external pressures.

The security situation and the country's economic woes were among the most pressing issues discussed during the three-day Prosperity Party Congress, the party's first general assembly since its inception. The assembly, which took place last Friday through Sunday, was broadcast live by publicly-owned media outlets.

Established Dec. 1, 2019, the Prosperity Party (PP), according to its chairman, has leapfrogged expectations into being Africa’s largest party with 11 million members in a short period of time.

The party is said to be largely a continuation of its predecessor, the Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF), a four-party coalition that ruled Ethiopia for 27 years until 2018, with the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) as a mover and shaker.

The assembly adopted a six-point resolution in which the ruling party vows to ensure intra-party stability, fight corruption and organized high-level embezzlement, curb inflation and the rising cost of living, guarantee the peace and security of citizens and keep the sovereignty of the nation intact.

- Need for transparency

Tewodros Getachew, a top-notch legal expert specializing in international law, has been closely following the political and legal goings-on in the country.

“The Prosperity Party needs to show transparency in relation to intra-party stability,” he told Anadolu Agency, adding since the PP is the ruling party, instability, strife, and intrigue within the party would have a noticeably negative impact on the country of more than 120 million people.

The PP during its assembly already announced a major shakeup of its rank and file. The party has conducted “deep assessments” on 108,258 members and took measures on 10,658 while sacking 2,574 from membership altogether, said Adem Farah, the party’s deputy chairman.

According to Tewodros, intra-party intrigue may jeopardize the stability of the entire country because what happens within the PP ranks may be reflected in the workings of the government.

- Need for walking the talk

"Inflation is getting out of control," Tewodros observed, urging serious intervention to stabilize the present economic situation.

According to him, inflation is artificially created, not driven by market forces.

"Therefore, the party, being the ruling party, needs to go beyond stating the issues on paper," he said, indicating the need for the government to walk its talk.

- Nipping at the bud?

Over the past four years, Ethiopia experienced many incidences of ethnically motivated clashes in which thousands lost their lives, millions were displaced, and the whole nation was traumatized, in addition to an all-out war situation in the north to quell a rebellion by the TPLF in which tens of thousands may have perished and a sizable amount of property was destroyed.

"Ethiopia is a country that is a signatory of international agreements and conventions on human rights, and it is incumbent on the government -- whether it likes it or not -- to ensure the safety and security of citizens," said Tewodros.

In its resolution, the Prosperity Party vowed to "nip such violence at the bud." But for the legal expert, the situation "went too far in the nipping-at-the-bud stage and in fact took roots."

"The government needs to take measures that go beyond business-as-usual and seriously and speedily tackle the problem lest it should get rooted deeper and more complicated," he said.

"The rights of citizens for peaceful living has largely been compromised and the government has been criticized for it… for not delivering on its duty and responsibility of safeguarding the rights of citizens to live in peace and under a secure environment."

Tewodros expressed appreciation that the Prosperity Party clearly acknowledged the need to enhance internal capacities in the face of threats to its sovereignty.

Over the past few years, Ethiopia has been beset by military confrontations that left the country’s economy in limbo.

- National dialogue

Ethiopia has promised to hold a national dialogue soon in order to reach a nationwide consensus on issues of national importance such as security and the economy.

Tewodros said the process of realizing the national dialogue needs clarity and inclusivity and credibility and should be conducted according to known internationally recognized procedures.

"The PP shoulders multiple responsibilities to bring the national dialogue to fruition, and it should prove itself capable of discharging those," he added.