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After
the excitement following the release of CUD leaders held in
Kaliti prison facilities for two years, many procedural and
practical issues remain unanswered as to how they will
integrate into the political landscape that has developed in
their absence. Questions ranging from party registration
matters to party platforms and leadership roles must be
tackled for the smooth re-entry of the politicians after
being granted amnesty. Tamrat G. Giorgis, Fortune Staff
Writer, asked Temesgen Zewde, Parliamentary whip of the
Coalition for Unity and Democracy Party (CUDP), and Ayele
Chamiso, deputy chairman of CUDP, how they viewed
contributions of political opposition shaping in the
future. |
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A
Gift to Move Forward
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Fortune: Are you surprised by the speed and the
manner the government decided to release the CUD
leaders? |
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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. |
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Does it mean that you are of the view that the
government has not surrendered to any pressure from
outside? |
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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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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? |
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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. |
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