UDJ former CUD collects over six thousand signatures

14 April, 2008

The former Coalition for Unity and Democracy majority supreme council members, who are forming a new party, Unity for Democracy and Justice (UDJ), have managed to collect over six thousand signatures, four times than the 1500 signatures needed to form a new national party.

According to Engineer Gizachew Shiferaw, who is heading signature collecting committee, an overwhelming degree of support was observed from people in all parts of Ethiopia collectors were dispatched to. Gizachew told Capital that during signature collection, very few ‘minor problems’ occurred especially in Butajira, Gurage Zone when two signature collectors were jailed. “I don’t regard the problem as a serious one, we have seen similar problems nearby and we notified the National Electoral Board of Ethiopia (NEBE) about the situation,” explains Gizachew, “our people were released. We don’t know whether NEBE secured their release or not.”

According to Gizachew, 1007 in Oromia, 317 in South, 1481 in Amhara, 280 in Afar and 1994 signatures in Addis Ababa areas were collected. Even if the UDJ exceeded the number of the signatures expected by law, less than 40% and 60% signature numbers percentage from one region and other four regions respectively, more collectors are to travel to other parts of the country.

Signature collectors are expected to go to Tigray and Jijiga in the coming few days. The travel reports of the collectors show that two men were assigned in four directions, South to Butajira, Awassa; North to Gonder, Gojam and Tigray; East to Adeha, Harar, Arsi, Afar; West to Gurage, Nekemete, Metu and one to the 10 sub cities of Addis Ababa.

Senior member of UDJ explain to Capital that after completion of the signature collection phase the party may call a general assembly to elect leaders and to submit necessary documents such as a political party program and party regulations.

The member also explained that the party might also decide to file the required documents and ask for time before it calls a general assembly and elect leaders. Capital reported that a majority of the former CUDP’s supreme council, recently empowered by renowned politician Professor Mesfin Woldemariam and MPs led by Temegen Zewdie Okayed the move of forming a new party.

It is expected that few members of the supreme council, who voted against forming a new party and assignment of executive committee to lead the process, would stand against electing new leaders, which surely excludes Hailu Shawul since he did not put his signature for the new party.

Some senior members of UDJ including Dr. Yakob Hailemariam, still expect Hailu Shawl to reconcile differences and get on board with UDJ. Many other senior members of the former CUDP do not share the optimism. Even if Hailu assigns an acting new president, Abayneh Berhanu, and his supporters are operating on different agendas and as separate entities, UDJ’s top official including Birtukan Medkisa were caution not to deny accreditation of his presidency in all of their press statements.

These officials claim that since he is not present it is the vice president (Justice Birtukan) who can assume his duty; instating Abayneh as acting president is breaking party laws and is unacceptable. According to Capital sources, it is unlikely that in the near future the UDJ election will give Hailu a commanding position even if he cames on board.

By Kirubel Tadesse - Capital