Ethiopian Democratic Party

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Ethiopian Democratic Party
Centre
Regional affiliationAfrica Liberal Network
International affiliationLiberal International
Website
edponline.org

The Ethiopian Democratic Party (

2010 elections
.

Founding, mergers, and consolidation

In October 1999, the Ethiopian Democratic Party (EDP) was registered following "40 weeks of political discussion". In mid-2000, the party held its first congress, electing

Admassu Gebeyehu, Hailu Araya and Lidetu Ayalew as Chairman, Vice Chairman, and General Secretary, respectively.[1]

In September 2003, the EDP merged with the Ethiopian Democratic Union, becoming the United Ethiopian Democratic Party.[1] Mengesha Seyoum became the party's honorary chairman, but played little role in the party administration, living in exile, and the post was quietly abolished.

In September 2004, it merged with the Ethiopian Medhin (Salvation) Democratic Party founded by former Foreign Minister

Mushe Semu Secretary General.[1]

Merger history

The following is an illustration of the party's mergers and name changes.

Ethiopian Democratic Party (EDP)
(renamed 2007)
      UEDP – Medhin       
(merged 2004)
United Ethiopian Democratic Party (UEDP)
(merged 2003)

Ethiopian Democratic Union (EDU)
(1974–2003)

Ethiopian Democratic Party (EDP)
(1999–2003)

Ethiopian Medhin Democratic Party (EMDP)
(1993–2004)

Ethiopian Democratic Action Group (EDAG)
(2005)

Electoral performance

It agreed to contest the

2005 parliamentary elections as part of the Coalition for Unity and Democracy (CUD), winning 52 seats. It was one of the few to take their seats in parliament, splitting with the remainder of the coalition.[3]

There were soon inner power struggles within the CUD, however. Former Chairman Hailu Araya had backed the leadership of Berhanu Nega, but was defeated in the Party Congress in August. Lidetu and Mushe were suspended from the CUD Central Council in October, and the party central committee voted to leave the coalition.[4]

Lidetu was a victim of character assassination and defamation following the 2005 elections by the former CUD leaders. However, the election campaign in 2010 revealed that Lidetu and his party were not behind the unsuccessful unity.[5] Despite this vindication, the party did not win any seats in the election, with the opposition overall winning only one seat.

UEDP-Medhin at present uses its original name EDP – Ethiopian Democratic Party.

Mushe Semu became party president, succeeding Lidetu.[7]

Politics of Ethiopia
  • Constitution
  • Presidency
Executive
Legislature
Judiciary
Elections
Administrative divisions
Foreign relations
Related topics

Political positions

The EDP is one of the few Ethiopian parties with non-leftist origins, and had ties with the pre-revolutionary establishment.

EPRDF.[9]

Approach to governance and politics

The EDP is strongly opposed to the policy of

left-wing discourse of Ethiopian government.[10]

However, it is supportive of peaceful opposition and opposes armed struggle against the present government, condemning the endorsement of

EPRDF
in the run-up to the 2010 elections.

Economic positions

Opposing the

Capital Ethiopia.[9]

Party leaders

Ethiopian Democratic Union

Ethiopian Democratic Party

References

  1. ^ a b c d Berhane, Daniel (29 March 2011). "MUSHE SEMU REPLACES LIDETU AYALEW |". Daniel Berhane's Blog. Retrieved 19 November 2013.
  2. ^ "ALPHABET SOUP". Retrieved 19 November 2013.
  3. ^ a b Wagle, Mary–Jane. "Sophie Yilma Deressa". Ethiopian Women Unleashed. HBF Ethiopia. Archived from the original on 2 December 2013. Retrieved 18 November 2013.
  4. ^ Leaders of UEDP-Medhin Archived 19 June 2008 at the Wayback Machine (UEDP-Medhin website)
  5. ^ "Ethiopia: Ethnic Federalism and its Discontents; Africa Report No. 153 – 4 September 2009" Archived 19 July 2013 at the Wayback Machine, International Crisis Group, p. 10 (accessed 16 November 2009)
  6. ^ Ashenafi, Neamin (16 November 2013). "Police crackdown". The Reporter. Archived from the original on 21 November 2013. Retrieved 18 November 2013.
  7. ^ "Emotional Farewell as Lidetu Steps Down". Ethiopian Democratic Party. The Reporter. Retrieved 18 November 2013.
  8. ^ "Ethiopia: Status of Amhara". Ethiopia Country Report. Immigration and Naturalization Service Resource Information Center. 6 April 1993. Retrieved 18 November 2013.
  9. ^ a b "Interview with Mushe Semu, President of Ethiopian Democratic Party". Ethiopian Democratic Party. Retrieved 18 November 2013.
  10. ^ a b "Ethiopian Democratic Party – Ethiopia". Africa Liberal Network. Archived from the original on 11 February 2012. Retrieved 18 November 2013.
  11. ^ "Ethiopian Democratic Party (EDP) condemned the Ginbot 7 organization' s support for armed struggle". Retrieved 18 November 2013.
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