Addis ababa: A coalition of eleven regional political parties that aim to effectively participate in the seventh national election of Ethiopia has been formed. The coalition includes the Agew for Justice and Democracy Party, Agew National Shengo, Tigray Democratic Party, Donga Peoples Democratic Party, Mocha Democratic Party, Argoba Nationality Democratic Movement, Afar Liberation Front Party, Gamo Democratic Party, Kaffa Peoples Democratic Organization, Kaffa Green Party, and Gambella Peoples Democratic Movement.
According to Ethiopian News Agency, the coalition was announced today during a two-day conference of the parties in Addis Ababa. Coalition Coordinating Committee Chairman, Darot Gum’a, stated that the coalition allows the parties to collaborate toward a common goal while respecting their differences. He noted the coalition’s potential to foster a better political culture and emphasized the importance of creating opportunities for dialogue and cooperation, urging all to shun divisive political rhetoric.
National Election Board of Ethiopia Chairperson, Melatwork Hailu, remarked that the coalition marks a pivotal step towards collective political engagement in Ethiopia while promoting representation in the upcoming election. She pledged to provide the necessary support for the coalition and commended the pooling of resources for a shared objective. According to her, mutual respect among differing parties is crucial for nurturing a healthy political environment.
Joint Council of Ethiopian Political Parties Chairman, Solomon Ayele, underscored the coalition’s importance in advancing the democratic system and building a multi-party framework. Reaffirming the council’s commitment to work closely with the coalition, he urged the coalition to contribute to lasting peace and national reconciliation in the country.
Ethiopia’s general elections are scheduled to take place in 2026. The National Election Board of Ethiopia is undertaking various preliminary preparations for the elections, including the preparation of over 50,000 polling stations and the recruitment of election officers.