Ethiopia marks 18 years of democratic rule

Pretoria, 30 May 2009 (Somalilandpress) — Ethiopia’s ruling party the Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) celebrated 18 years at the helm in South Africa’s capital, Pretoria on Thursday.

EPRDF which consists of four Ethiopian ethnic coalition parties came to power in May 1991 after ousting Colonel Mengistu Haile Mariam’s Soviet-style Derg government that oppressed and terrorised the population.

South Africa, Zimbabwe, Somaliland and various nations were guests of honor at the sumptuous reception on May 28 in the splendid setting of the residency of Ethiopia’s ambassador to South Africa, Mr Melese Marimo Massaro.

Mr Massaro briefed his guests about the history of his party and how EPRDF was able to embark on a major turning point on the path of political democratization and socio-economic development in Ethiopia. He added that Ethiopia maintains bilateral Cooperation’s with foreign nations on various aspects, that it continues to be an important player in the region and has sound domestic policies.

Amongst those able to catch Amb. Massaro on his special day were Somaliland’s special envoy to South Africa, Professor Iqbal Jhazbhay [University of South Africa] and Somaliland Community in South Africa Chairman, Mr Ahmed Jama Hassan.

Mr Ahmed also met with Ethiopia’s MPs in Pan African Parliament, Western Sahara Republic ambassador to South Africa, Zimbabwe’s ambassador and delegation from the United Nation. Mr Ahmed is expected also to hold talks with Jacob Zuma’s administration in the coming days.

The commemoration of 18 years of democratic rule in Ethiopia is an occasion to reflect on the steady progress Ethiopia made as a nation over the paste decades, a reminder to many Ethiopians of the days of the Derg regime and the new chapter it has entered.

Sources: Somalilandpress + Oodweynenews

Published by: Qalinle Hussein

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