Political parties disagree again on third party negotiator

Addis Ababa, March 29, 2017 (FBC) –The meeting held today between Ethiopia’s 22 national political parties to decide on the presence of a third party negotiator in the upcoming dialogue ended without agreement.

Similarly, the parties concluded the meeting called last week to decide on this issue without agreement.

During last week’s meeting, almost all opposition parties proposed the dialogue to be mediated by a third party.

However, the ruling party, EPRDF, for its part suggested the dialogue to be conducted in various rounds giving each party a negotiator role turn by turn.

In today’s meeting, Unity for Democracy and Justice (Andinet), Coalition for Unity and Democracy, New Generation, Ethiopian Democratic Unity, Ethiopian Democratic People and Welene People Democratic parties changed their minds on the necessity of a third party negotiator.

All Oromo People Democratic Party stuck to its previous decision on the needlessness of a third party .

The ruling party, EPRDF, for its part proposed the dialogue to be conducted in various rounds giving each party a negotiator role turn by turn or by drawing representatives from the negotiating parties.

On the other hand, a group consisted of six parties, including the Ethiopian Democratic Party (EDP), Blue Party and Ethiopian Raie party trapped by their previous decisions not to hold the dialogue without the involvement of a third party.

The Geda System Advancement Party recommended the presence of a third party or parties’ negotiator role to be decided based on agendas.

Those parties which stood against a third party presence stated their reasons saying “the involvement of a third party is unnecessary in a dialogue that would be conducted between peaceful parties in a peaceful country.”

Those who supported the presence of a third party for their parts said “we demanded a third party negotiator because we don’t trust EPRDF.”

The parties ended today’s meeting without agreement and deciding to meet again on April 10, 2017.