The opposition camp may suffer from terminal disarray, but this time around the ruling party's camp is also in a chaotic state, for there is much uncertainty on the issue of succession, claims gossip.
 

Contrary to the impression they would like to make, the Revolutionary Democrats were hardly prepared when, few years back, their chief priest dropped the bombshell through the media that he wanted to step down. He was subjected to their trademark grilling self-criticism for daring to take his issue to the public. Then followed another earth shattering statement, again through the media, he suggested that almost all who were leaders during the years in the field should be going as well.
 

This led to the senior leadership's consensus that the conversation should be conducted in a rather organized fashion. So the leadership thrashed out the issues to the end. Finally, they decided to have a succession plan with three phases to be completed in five years.

Now that the Revolutionary Democrats have publicly committed themselves to the succession process, each party in the coalition is tasked to identify and list those in their leadership that should be relieved during the first and second conventions of the party, according to gossip.
 

The respective parties have already begun the work, asserts gossip. There are two ways of doing the job. One way follows the new bylaws of the party that salute those over 65-years-of-age to retirement. The next looks at any leader who has served two or more terms in a government position to be a likely candidate for departure.
 

There appears to be some progress made with the Amhara National Democratic Movement (ANDM), claims gossip. As the greatest proponent of succession among the Revolutionary Democrats, Tefera Walwa is expected to set the precedent. Such is the case with Addisu Legesse, who had tried to relieve himself of his post long before Meles Zenawi's public pronouncement of his desire to step down. Owing to his health issues, Bereket Simon, too, would like to leave early, according to gossip. Nevertheless, gossip has a feeling that the latter two will likely stay on for the time being and take charge of running the party's affairs.
 

There is even modest progress made within the Tigrayan People's Liberation Front (TPLF), according to gossip. The party has yet to come forward with a list of names, but there are leaders such as Abay Tsehaye who want to go early, gossip said. But several in the leadership are putting pressure on him to stay, for he is believed to be the ideological father of the TPLF. Nothing has been decided over his fate yet, gossip disclosed.
 

The gossip corridors echo with guesses as to who is to be going, although it is pretty clear. However, the TPLF leadership is reportedly concerned not so much with the leaders being relieved but by uncertainty over the prospective candidates who will be taking over.
 

The trouble comes with the leadership in the Oromo People's Democratic Organization (OPDO) and the Southern Peoples' Region Democratic Movement (SPRDM). There has not been much progress made within these parties, spare Hailemariam Desalegn from SPRDM, who is likely to be on his way out on the grounds of health related issues, according to gossip.
 

Ironically, it is hard to contemplate the status of the political leaders of the OPDO, for gossip sees no intention among many of them to step down. For instance, gossip sees Aba Dula Gemeda and Kuma Demekssa on an extended stay in order to keep the party together. On the same note, Girma Birru has a fair chance of staying on as long as Meles does, due to his contribution to the federal government, claims gossip.
 

Nonetheless, the climate of uncertainty engulfing the Revolutionary Democrats seems to be a self-inflicted wound which could damage the party's standing. Perhaps it is the necessary price their leader envisioned the party should pay for its long term viability, conclude those in the gossip corridors.