Berhanu Nega calls for a 'by any means' struggle

Berhanu Nega, who was elected mayor of Addis Ababa in
2005, celebrates at his parents' Addis Ababa home
after his pardon and release from prison

03 May, 2008

Former mayor-elect of Addis Ababa and ex-member of the Supreme Council of the Coalition for Unity and Democracy (CUD) Berhanu Nega, along with four others, has declared that he and his colleagues were determined to adopt whatever means is necessary to force the ruling party to the negotiating table or force it out completely within a short time.
"We have come to understand that it is no more a viable alternative to pursue our struggle in a "peaceful and legal" manner as dictated by the repressive TPLF/EPRDF. We have therefore decided that we will, on our own time and place, against the will of TPLF/EPRDF, by employing whatever means is necessary, continue to struggle," the statement said.

The group, which comprises of Andargachew Tsigie, Chekol Getahun, Mesfin Aman and Daniel Assefa along with Berhanu, said that it was no more part of the party which included Birtukan Mideksa and Hailu Shawel and added that it was high time that each and everyone pursue its own path.

This is the latest statement to be issued by yet another splinter in the party.

Immediately after their release from prison the top leaders of CUD had gone to the US where the rift was made public.

Dr. Berhanu who had been in the group of the first vice president Birtukan Mideksa decided to stay in the US, while she returned back.

Ethiopian Reporter - Staff Reporter