Information from WAFIDO in Parliament
On November 29, 2006 the Government introduced in Parliament a
Resolution to open War on the so-called "Islamic Courts" which had declared Jihad
on Ethiopia for interfering in the internal affairs of Somalia . They
accused Ethiopia for entering Somalia to help the Transitional Government
which the Jihadists do not want to accept.
In the Resolution , it said that the War was not only against the
Somali but also against Eritrea and "those Ethiopian Groups which have
refused to accept the Ethiopian Constitution and want to overthrow
the Constitutional Order." WAFIDO did not think that it was necessary to include
extraneous forces which could be dealt with through other policies,
and shoulld limit itself to the Islamist Somalis. Of course, the
Resolution was passed by EPRDF majority. We do not know when or if the War will
happen as planned. Meanwhile, we are being villied as unpatriotic and
even treasonous.
This is not the only problem we have with the EPRDF Government. Many
of our members and supporters throughout Oromia have been imprisoned.
Therefore, if the so-called Local Elections take place, we would not
have candidates to stand for us. OPDO has focused on those potential
candidates of WAFIDO in all of Oromia Aanaaas and Gandas. The date for the Local
Elections have been illegally delayed. They should have take place
in 2006, and 2006 is now almost over.
Another serious setback for WAFIDO is the fact that our Offices
thoughout Oromia have been closed down. Unless they are open and our members
are released, we do not see how we can participate in the Local Elections
which constitutionally shoud be held every five years.
The Opposition has no access to the Media. We mean public media,
because private media has been forced out of existence.
I know that some of you will say, "what is the use of trying?" This
Government will never be democratic. We Oromos cannot be left out of
the process because when true democracy comes, we must have experienced
Oromo politicians who will know all the ropes and fight for Oromo rights.
We are already far behind. Today, politicians of other Ethnic groups are out
there in front making gains even under this regime. I think eventually,
the Oromos will have complete self-determination not through the gun but
through the ballot box. It is just the nature of this country. Those
who came in throufh the gun and dubious elections, cannot last very long.
Meanwhile, we are badly squeezed by lack of funds. EPRDF has refused
to comply with the internationally accepted practice of funding Oppostion
parties. Our usual local supporters are being afraid of the Powers
that be. A North American locally-generated appeal for funds could save
us. By the way, despite all travails, WAFIDO has become a force to be taken
into account in all matters concerning our people. Our profile in Parliament is quite high although our seats are relatively few.
Thank you.
WAFIDO
Finfinnee, December 6, 2006