Ethiopia Between Election Events

The 2005 election was a historic opening of democratic space in Ethiopia.Since in power, the incumbent for the first time had to face a democratic challenge. Its fruit had a bitter taste though.CUD, the hardliner opposition, 'irresponsibility' discarded the Verdict of the public and EPRDF stick to irreconcilable politics. That led to election crisis accompanied by political deadlock and bloodshed.Now there is no way to allow things go back as they were in 2005. 'Repressive' laws were enacted; millions of youngsters were recruited through 'stick and carrot' strategy. All that curtailed the political space in the election to come; left little or no ground for the opposition to make any effective competition.The hate politics and splits within the major oppositions coupled by political intimidation against MEDREK, grand opposition coalition, the 2010 election was essentially failed.Contrary to that of 2005, where there was no clear cut winner, EPRDF now controlled 99.6 of the federal parliament;a situation that remind the country the last decade of the 20th century.The writer argues that the implication is Ethiopia has just joined the 'competitive/electoral Authoritarianism' camp.

Autorentext

Editor at The Reporter, most credible independent newspaper in Ethiopia. Critical political writer and analyst, at national/ regional levels. Political Science and Public Administration (M.A) expert. Assistant researcher at Institute for Security Studies, ISS. The winner of the Top Prize "Excellence in Journalism 2012 Award".