Addis Globe, October 5, 2020
President Sahle-Work Zewde said Ethiopia needs to build democracy and democratic order. In her speech while opening the 6th year first joint session of house of federation and peoples representatives, she stressed that the fate of the country and its people rests on it. She said the government is committed to work with the relevant stakeholders to build democracy and democratic order in Ethiopia on a solid foundation. This will safeguard rule of law and ensure economic success.
Sahlework said activities on democratization and prevalence of lasting peace will be carried out by involving the entire population and political parties in the country. The president, who blamed heinous acts and lawlessness that took the lives and property of people last Ethiopian year, pointed out that the crime was “a clear demonstration of the way we misunderstand democracy.” Sahlework stated that strict measures would be taken to prevent any armed group or individual from engaging in illegal activities in order to nurture lasting peace across the country. Security measures will be put in place to ensure that the safety of citizens as well as the much-praised transition to democracy and democratic order in Ethiopia is not compromised under any circumstances, she stressed.
President Sahlework further said that the government is determined to make the upcoming election fair, democratic, and credible in stark contrast to the elections held in the past decades. The past elections may offer several candidates but the ruling party ensure through intimidation or rigging that only the government-approved candidate is chosen.
A wide range of activities will be undertaken to raise political competence of parties and enable competing parties have remarkable number of seats in the parliament through fair, free democratic election process, she remarked.
In her opening speech she highlights the government “will exert utmost efforts this fiscal year ahead of realizing economic prosperity in the country.” The president has also mentioned the government’s commitment for agricultural mechanization, rural financing and irrigation developments. These targeted efforts are believed to increase productivity and economic prosperity. The government, in its effort to ensure food security, gives due attention to supply advanced agricultural technologies and expand cluster farming, she said.
Picture Source: Ethiopia News
