The streets have been littered with high-flying rhetoric; and elders have capitalised to make grandiose proclamations attempting to insert the events of the last two weeks into a neat linear historical account with a bright future. The mood seems to be one of anticipation to see what happens as a result of the release of opposition leaders after being granted full amnesty. Indeed, politicians too have spun the recent events in all manners of speech to fit their respective agendas. It is not necessarily a bad thing in itself.
 

The question now is how the various parties will use this energy to propel the discourse into meaningful changes in the political environment Ethiopia so badly needs. After suffering from a harmful apathy for the past two years where citizens have been afraid to participate or suspicious that their efforts would not yield any meaningful fruits, the time is ripe to regain some of the momentum that marked the pre-May 2005 era.
 

Judging from the reaction of the public in the last two weeks, eyes and mouths have been opened that were sadly sealed in an eerie pause for nearly two years. It is now incumbent upon both sides of the coin, opposition and ruling parties, to follow through on the reconciliatory atmosphere that has been created; they should use the resources respectively at their disposal to lead the country to a new political chapter.
 

Bringing closure to the saga of the past two years is a painful compromise that may be characterised as an example of the sort of progress that needs to take hold in the public political roots. It is encouraging that finally both parties saw their interests better served in agonising compromise than a stubborn deadlock with no one seen winning the battle.
 

On one side, the opposition has gone out on a limb and accepted responsibility for the harmful results of the post-election violence. Even if they were not, they were found guilty by a court of law, the prosecution of which has had so much to be challenged.
 

Nevertheless, taking the blame for great losses of human life and damage - both on private and public property - is a brave move. It takes courage to hold oneself accountable for an event that has been etched into the history books as a decisive moment.
 

True, there are those disappointed to see their leaders accept individual and collective responsibilities, as many are those who are of the opinion that they compromised under pressure. No doubt there are some that see the CUD leaders who signed the plea for mercy as not holding true to principles; this, however, is the kind of forward-looking calculation that comes with mature political planning.
 

Looking at the benefit these leaders who hold so much sway in the public mindset may bring to its discourse, one sees the utility they can contribute to Ethiopian political life outside the confines of Kaliti prison facilities.
 

The EPRDF leadership displayed some gall of its own in its decision not only to accept the plea for pardon and release them, but also to restore full political rights to the CUD leaders and members. This decision that has sent rifts through the political leadership is a rarity amongst developing countries where ruling parties are so keen to hold the reigns on newfound political currency. The commanding coalition governing the country was not forced to allow these political rivals the ability to challenge them in future elections, but saw the gain from showing a calculated mercy that has the potential to thrust public politics into a more open arena, we would like to believe.
 

Now that the political gestures have sunk in a bit, some more concrete steps are necessary from both parties.
 

The immediate opportunity presenting itself to the newly enlarged politically concerned is the upcoming national elections at the kebele and wereda levels, as well as the Parliamentary bi-election representing the 33 seats vacant after CUD leaders refused to assume them. It is here where the opposition leaders can make a statement that they have returned to the political scene to make a positive contribution to the country.
 

At the same time, the ruling party must make its position clear as a responsible and mature leadership that allows for peaceful and healthy political contests.

It is in these local elections where the instruments of government power are implemented and enforced. Kebele and wereda officials come into direct contact with the people in their districts, and thus, in many respects, have the most lasting impact on the public mentality. Through these positions, if victorious, opposition leaders may build trust on the part of citizens of their ability to responsibly handle election to government posts.
 

The populace appears hungry to see how the recently freed politicians use the trust, and hope bestowed upon them in the remodelled political landscape. The public political silence must be broken above all else in the lead-up to the next elections. Politicians of all persuasions should be encouraged to actively campaign; door-to-door politicking, public speeches and writings, as well as rallies. General engagement with the public spheres of life should be welcomed in order to bring the much needed changes to the prevailing culture of politics.
 

Through the handling of the upcoming campaigns, the CUD members may use the moral upper hand they have gained in the minds of many citizens to build the political capacity to enliven civil society. It must be viewed as an opportunity for creating functioning networks where informed and clearly articulated party platforms may be communicated to the public. After the political statements leading up to and following their release, it is now time to be tested on the ground to prove that the politicians are still passionate about bringing the changes they have touted in the past.
 

More than just promoting themselves in local posts, by bringing a greater passion to local elections, opposition members will be doing the country as a whole a great service by creating zeal on the part of the public to participate in local elections that have suffered from low turnouts and indifference in the past.
 

Ethiopia has a lot of room to grow politically in order to become a healthy democracy. The development does not happen overnight, while the recent events provide a wonderful kick-start to a process that has remained on hold.
 

Democracy goes beyond mere debates and party allegiance. It is above all else a culture that promotes public engagement in shaping the face of a nation, in tolerance and accommodation.

Active participation in upcoming elections will be one step forward on the path to instil a mentality that voting matters and that individuals have an opportunity to influence the future direction of a country. Developing the culture that takes pride in dropping one's vote in the ballot box takes time; but now is as good an opportunity as ever to use the fervour felt on the streets to strive for this goal.
 

Of course, these monumental aspirations can only be accomplished with willingness on the part of the ruling party to open its philosophical leanings to more open and fair political competition. It has taken the first step by granting amnesty; it now must go further.
 

While the EPRDF has demonstrated its power, it is now up to it to exhibit maturity in applying soft-power. It has under its control many of the avenues that guide the kind of political climate producing a healthy civil society. One of the most crucial demonstrations of political openness is the expression of free speech. It is in this arena, especially within a country dominated by state-owned communications and media and with an embarrassingly scanty private press, that the government can show its readiness to accept informed and peaceful public discourse.
 

Access to the state media was one of the contentious issues raised by the CUD leaders, made in the post-May 2005 electoral crisis. It is imperative that the state-owned media give equal access for viewpoints from all sides, however bitter it may be to the taste of the ruling party. This means improving the miserable performance of public radio, television and print in opening their mediums to stakeholders of all parties, not just those keen to agree with the ruling coalition or those who have a presence in Parliament.
 

Citizens are far from making informed decisions or feeling comfortable with the political climate if all they are fed through the media is one-sided views. That has been pretty much the norm around here. It is wrong.
 

With a growing population that has access to electronic media and an increasingly literate society, the demand for responsible and balanced media exists; the supply, however, is currently suppressed. When these windows of communications are opened, possibly licensing new electronic media outlets in the form of more radio stations and TV channels, and definitely through changing the climate of the existing avenues of communications, politicians on all sides will be able to lead the public to a revitalised public life, hopefully.

Citizens seem anxiously awaiting the next development in the recently altered political framework of the country. Both sides must be commended for creating this environment through difficult sacrifices. It is now time for all involved parties to prove that they have learned from the past and are capable to lead the country to better days where political contests are free from any form of violence.