Elias Kilfle on Berhanu Nega and Hailu Shawel

Berhanu Nega is going against the people's desire

Sep 21, 2005

Ethiopian Review Editorial
Sep 21, 2005

A statement has been posted in the name of CUD on Kestedemena Party's web site that contradicts Ato Hailu Shawel's announcement that CUD will not enter parliament. The statement does not bear CUD's official stamp, and we have confirmed that the CUD council did not authorize the statement posted on Kestedemena's web site against its chairman.

The Kestedemena Party chairman, Dr Berhanu Nega, who is the campaign manager for CUD, also held a press conference today (Sep 21) and told reporters that Ato Hailu's statement doesn't represent CUD. Dr Berhanu doesn't have the authority to contradict the chairman of CUD. By coming out against Ato Hailu, not only he is violating party discipline, he is also creating confusion and frustration among the CUD supporters, and the public at large.

Of course, this is not the first time that Dr Berhanu tried to contradict the CUD chairman and assuming the role of CUD leader. Since May 15, he has been trying to silence the chairman who has been championing the cause of the vast majority of Ethiopians for past several years. It is absurd why an election campaign manager is given a free hand to destroy the image of the coalition and its chairman. Dr Berhanu, who has appeard in the opposition camp just a few months before the election, has been the source of confusion and division in the CUD. Once again, Ethiopian Review urges the CUD leadership to take a corrective action as soon as possible in order to preserve its creditability.

The people of Ethiopia are with Ato Hailu Shawel. If Dr Berhanu wants to work with the murderous regime of Meles Zenawi, that is his right. But he must not be allowed to use CUD as a cover to advance his own agenda.

The people of Ethiopia have spoken clearly–they don't want to be governed by the Meles regime for five more years. Berhanu Nega must respect the people's desire to be liberated from dictatorship now, not five years from now.