Rival Oromo factions have formed a unity coalition according to confirmed reports received from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The once rival factions consist of former rebel groups and opposition parties. The deal was inked at Elilly hotel in the capital Addis Ababa.
The individuals in attendance include professor Merera Gudina of the Oromo Federalist Congress (OFC), Dawud Ibssa of Oromo Liberation Front (OLF), and Kemal Gelchu of Oromo National Party (ONP), along with Jawar Mohammed, the CEO of Oromia Media Network (OMN) who recently joined OFC. The new unitary coalition is preparing itself to compete in upcoming national elections slated for June of this year. There going up against the Ethiopian Prosperity Party (EPP) led by the incumbent prime minster Abiy Ahmed.
The coalition is said to have a high probability in securing victory over the EPP in local elections for the Oromo regional state, while there chances to dominate elections on a national level remains uncertain. Over the past several months similar coalitions have been announced in the Amahra region and the Somali region (Ogaden) as the Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF) and the Somali Region Democratic Alliance (SRDA) formed a unitary coalition as well dubbed Somali Coalition for Freedom (SCF).
So much uncertainty remains surrounding upcoming elections in Ethiopia. Many political pundits and experts the elections might be postponed due to lack of security in the country. Others believe if elections do take place there unlikely to be transparent. Reagrdless which ever one plays out, the country could easily spiral into violence, which can easily unravel a Pandora’s box that nobody is ready for.
We will keep you updated with the latest develpments from the region.
Halgan Media Editorial Staff
Contact us : Infor@halganmedia.net
