Mofa Statement

Newsletter 14

Ethiopia Marks Demise of Military Junta

 Statements by Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Fifteen precious years have been counted since the dawn of that day on which a new chapter was opened in the long history of our nation. It was on that historic day the people of Ethiopia started moulding the new Ethiopia, upholding mutual esteem and equality as the cornerstones after breaking free from the age-old yoke of oppression under which they were languishing. That same day marks the launching of the battle against misery and impoverishment which threatened the very survival of the country on top of the damage it has done to its image. In a nutshell, May 28, the culmination of the bitter struggle waged to unseat the totalitarian regime, has ushered in a new era of democracy and development. 

In retrospect, when considering the bumpy road we had to traverse over the past decade and half, we feel emboldened by what was achieved. Already, the agenda we set at the point of departure-development and the setting up of a democratic order-have begun bearing fruit. Endeavors made, particularly over the past few years, following reform to overhaul structural limitations, implementation capacity while making our policies more focused have registered encouraging results.  Economic growth achieved consecutively over the past three years testifies to the success of the revitalization process. Government, seeking to maintain the momentum, has already begun implementing a five-year development blue-print it devised. Viewed against current achievements and objectives set for the next five years in the economic and social sectors, we expect Ethiopia to achieve the MDGs, ahead of 2015. Successes so far witnessed could serve as a launching pad to realize the national vision of making Ethiopia, one of the middle income states in the next two to three decades.

 We have come a long way in safeguarding democratic rights of peoples and individuals enshrined in the Ethiopian constitution with commitment to enhance good governance as an instrument to prevent infringement. A case in point could be the election conducted in May last year.

True to its word and in line with its pledge to conduct a free and fair election, the government has made unstinted efforts to create a level- playing field for all, allowing access to government media, issuing code of conduct for security forces, government officials as well as ruling party functionaries in addition to inviting foreign observers to monitor the elections in which competing parties were given equal opportunities. Observer missions including that of the Carter Center and Africa Union and internationally acclaimed others have confirmed as just the whole electoral process and the result.

Hardliner opposition groups however, have rejected election results that won the consent of the Ethiopian people and deservedly so, the honor of the international community to engage in violence as they were  determined to usurp power through the ballot or the use of force dismantling the constitutional order by any means possible. All peaceful government efforts to resolve encountered difficulties were made futile due to the adamance of the hawkish opposition.  Eventually, vested with the responsibility to safeguard the constitutional order, government took legal action detaining the hardliner leadership of the opposition and accomplices now on trial in the court of law.  

A democratic system is unthinkable without the rule of law. Rights, unless integrated with duties and responsibilities to uphold the constitution, would in the end, result in anarchy and chaos. Government with the intention to averting such a scenario has taken to the court the case of the forces of destruction bent on fomenting street violence and insurrection to dismantle the constitutional order nipping in the bud the on-going democratic process. Such a step is believed to deter arrogant elements entertaining wishful thinking of dismantling the democratic order through insurrection and violence.

Our objective to realize development and a democratic system will continue unhindered with all the patience it needs to address deficiencies so as to remain on the right track leading to a thriving democracy and development, the yearnings of the Ethiopian people.

Marking May 28 at this particular juncture when citizens are bracing for the implementation of the five year development strategy following its endorsement by the parliament, makes the event special and colorful.

Coinciding with preparations for marking the new millennium in Ethiopia, the celebration could be an occasion to promote Ethiopia and its unique feature to communities all over the world.

Ethiopians emboldened by gains secured over the past 15 years should join hands with the government committed to do away with poverty, focusing on the implementation of the five-year development blue print.

We are confident that the international community particularly partners and donors will continue supporting the Ethiopian government in its effort to make poverty history and deepen democracy in Ethiopia.