Fortune: Is it confusing to distinguish between the former and current CUD leaders? Is it not surprising for you to see the release of these leaders from jail so soon?

Ayele Chamiso: I see the action of the government positively for letting the CUD leaders out from jail. The government listened to the plights of the supporters and the public at large. I would congratulate the released leaders and the government.

With regard to the confusion of former and current leaders of the CUD, we have discussed with some members of the international community, especially with those in diplomatic circles to gain the legitimacy and make our party legal on this situation. The elders have a special place in the heart of the Ethiopian people for they have played an important role wisely to bring the sad saga to an end.

Have you ever expected these leaders to be released with such speed some two months ago?

Did you believe that the released leaders would request pardon? And, have you ever thought they would make the plea for pardon in such a manner and language and do you think they are right?

We never thought that they would request the pardon or anything similar to it. We were in the political process to bring the situation to the attention of the government and other concerned entities from the very beginning. We were curiously following the situation and seriously attended every rumour made on them.

But have you really expected they would ask pardon this year?

No.

After their release from jail, it was Hailu Shawel(Engineer) who gave a public statement on newspapers and I am sure you have read it; he said, “We signed the decision on pressure, I found the government worse than it was two years ago”. What is your reaction to this?

Even though, it is difficult for me to make any comment as to define my reaction to what has been said by Hailu, my opinion is that things are not as they were before on the part of everyone.

Your call for general assembly has not been accepted by the National Electoral Board (NEB)?

When we called for the election in the general assembly, we made it known to NEB and no one was happy to honour it, especially among those CUD members of Parliament.

What about the organising committee?

 We did not organise the committee to establish one party together.

There was nobody with you among members of the committee?

After we finished the whole process, through the mediating of the American Embassy, Temesgen Zewde came and showed interest to work together. I told him that it was him who has refused to sign and I said we cannot do anything alone without his people being part of the process and I asked the other parliamentarians in his group to be included in the process.
 

The same people would want to be considered as founding members of the party. Later, when our political party gained legal recognition, all of them were running after us to be part of the game. Then, a meeting was called and has been attended by five people, three of which were from our group and two came from them.

Both of us have equal power; Temesgen is the chairman of the committee, not the party and the chairman is to head the committee not the party. His group has 10 members and ours has 11. I made my point on the problem of leadership crisis and doing what I do there was a great deal of stress I had to go through, especially when there are no sufficient resources at my disposal.

Have you been recognised by NEB?

After we have been waiting and processing for six months, the party was granted legal recognition on April 15, 2006.

Did a meeting take place on October 22?

 Yes, we held the election on that date.

Did they elect Temesgen to be the deputy chairman in his absence?

Yes.

In his absence?

Yes, in his absence because there is nothing in the law that hinders his rights. He was not the only one who was elected in his absence, there are about eight of them. We conducted this election, as we submitted the list of this election to NEB.

Then you appealed to the Court against the Board?

Yes, I sued because we have reservations on the decision.

In the High Court?

We started to advance our claim at the Federal High Court, in civil law.  While the Court was looking into the case, the third party was involved.

When did the Court pass the decision?  Two months before?

No.

Can you tell me the exact time this decision was passed?

I cannot tell you exactly, but it must be around February 1.

It was that long?

Yes.

Are you still appealing to the Court?

Yes, the Court has now decided.

When?

May 21.

Then what happened?

Then we brought our supporters and members of the party to do what they can to save the party from becoming dysfunctional and sent this message over ‘Sendeq’ an Amharic newspaper. We asked everybody to put his contribution to save this party. It was not only for this, but also we called among those who were in jail such as Asrat Tase. When we were calling the general assembly, Mohamed Ali worked against all our efforts because he had an agenda and mission.

What was his agenda? It means you have not yet called a general assembly because you differed in agenda and mission with him?

Yes, we did not call and even we cannot do it due to differences.

Why?

Because we have called many times to conduct a meeting but they have turned down our call for meetings, let alone to hold an election.

Those people whom you are claiming have refused your request have complained that you have said no?

Never, that is a lie.

But they said we have invited Ayele to the meeting at the Board and he did not come.

 No, we do not understand the necessity of their invitation after we have conducted the election.

The Federal Supreme Court and High Court have now decided. Does it mean both of you agree? From the look of things, both of you do not seem to have either the interest or the will to call the general assembly and hold election and elect leadership.

We have the will and we have done so much in this regard. 

But, you have not made it yet?

They said no, because they say they have different objectives.

Would the two of you agree to hand over the leadership to the released CUD leaders?

There may be something that we can give after the decision of the new Electoral Board, whatever it is, positive or negative.

What if the Board would overturn the decision? What if the Board would say it is only temporary?

This should be up to NEB. There will be nothing to discuss further. Who would listen to us, we have brought this case to the Court of law and we are denied justice.

You told the Reporter last Wednesday that you would like to hand over, however, you made it clear that there should be an explanation to be made how and why we would do it?

Yes, it has to be done through discussion.

Both of you are not in the party?

Yes, we are not because we have not been told to participate.

And all of you have no power to command the party?

Yes.

It means you cannot mobilise the party practically.

I can practically mobilise, based on my position; I am leading my people.

How many people and how many supporters do you have?

I cannot tell you the exact number. There are people who like me and people who hate me. But if you go to the countryside for example I have support. 

Have you met any of the recently released privately?

Yes, with some of them.

With whom?

Why is it important? I do not want to talk about it.

How did they receive you; positively, friendly, or with hostility?

There is no one who showed me hostile expressions. And what they see now is different and they regret it.

Did you attend the meeting that was called  last Monday? Were you invited?

No, I was not invited.

Do you know what happened at the meeting?

 I heard that they conducted a meeting on Monday but I do not know what they have discussed. Temesgen may have attended the meeting and may have handed over his power. 

Will you hand over leadership? 

Yes, we would hand it over.

Did you meet Berhanu Nega (PhD)?

I went to his house but I could not meet him

What about Hailu?

I tried to call Hailu but he did not answer his phone.

Have you met any of the executive members?

I did.

You took initiative to make the party legal. It was simply an organised platform for the election. Have you ever thought that you would find yourself in such a volcanic situation, or is it just an accident?

If I had thought this would happen earlier, I would not have approached him in the first place. I said it earlier that ‘difference is important in politics.’

Fortune: Are you surprised by the speed and the manner the government decided to release the CUD leaders?

Temesgen Zewde: Yes, I was pleasantly surprised by the speed, but it is not something we have not been expecting. Our party, the coalition for Unity and Democracy Party (CUDP) has been urging the government repeatedly that the problem created since the 2005 election should be resolved through political dialogue.

Does it mean that you are of the view that the government has not surrendered to any pressure from outside?

Yes, I am not saying that there is not pressure from outside, but this is very important to us because our government chose its own way of resolving the conflict and misunderstanding through an honoured practice in Ethiopia.

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