Dr. Abiy Ahmed and Lemma Megersa have been elected Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson of the Oromo Democratic Party (ODP), respectively.
The Party also elected the following ODP/ EPRDF Executive Committee members.
1. Dr. Abiy Ahmed
2. Lemma Megersa
3. Dr. Workneh Gebeyehu
4. Berhanu Tsegaye
5. Shimeles Abdisa
6. Addisu Arega
7. Adanech Abebie
8. Fekadu Tessema
9. Dr. Alemu Sime
The Party also concluded its 9th Organizational Conference held for the past three days in the city of Jimma, Oromia regional state.
ODP re-elects Dr. Abiy Ahmed Chairperson, Lemma Megersa Deputy Chairperson
Gov’t won’t tolerate hooliganism, says Federal Police
Federal Police Commission said the government will take all the necessary measures to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the people.
In a press conference, Zeyinu Jemal, Commissioner General of the Federal Police Commission, said the government won’t tolerate hooliganism.
He said police have arrested 300-400 suspects in connection with the attacks carried out against civilians in Burayu and its environs during the past three days.
Moreover 300 sponsored suspects have been destined in the Addis Ababa demonstration staged today to denounce the attack.
Similar demonstration was also staged in Arba Minch, the Commissioner General stated.
According to him, hand grenades were seized from organized groups and there were attempts of robbery at Pissa and Merkato areas.
They tried to incite ethnic conflicts by chanting racial insults. They also tried to grab guns from security officers, he added.
He said five people were killed and unknown number of individuals injured in the clash.
In general, the violence was intentional and meant to thwart the ongoing reforms in the country, the Commissioner General noted.
Political parties condemn recent violence in Addis Ababa
Seven political parties have condemned the recent violence in Addis Ababa and various parts of the country.
The parties are Oromo Federalist Congress, Oromo Liberation Front, Oromo Democratic Front, Oromo Unity for Freedom, Oromo Unity Front, Blue Party and Patriotic Ginbot 7 Movement for Unity and Democracy.
In a joint communiqué they issued after the end of their two day meeting, they condemned the attack which resulted in deaths and injuries of innocent people as well as property damage. The situation is very worrying and should be stopped, they said.
The parties urged actors of the conflict as well as internal and external forces to refrain from orchestrating violence.
They also called on the youth to distance themselves from those forces that have been endeavoring to foil the changes gained with significant sacrifices.
They also urged the government to strengthen its capacity of preventing conflicts and to bring those responsible to justice.
The parties also expressed their readiness to contribute their share for peace, democracy and to strengthen unity of the people.
Ethiopia’s National Security Council vows to take all legal measures to ensure rule of law
The National Security Council of Ethiopia said the government will take all legal and appropriate measures to fulfill its responsibilities of ensuring rule of law and safety of its citizens.
“We have no heart to tolerate and shoulder anarchism,” the Council said in a statement sent to FBC today.
Accordingly, the government has begun taking all legal and stern measures to guarantee peace and make people feel safe, the statement said.
The measures will continue, the statement added.
Several citizens have lost their lives in the recent conflicts in Addis Ababa and its environs, it said, adding attempt were also underway to spread the conflict to Ethiopian Somali and other areas as well as to hamper the upcoming 11th Congress of EPRDF.
The youth should avoid being an instrument for “political traders” and robbers, the statement said, adding all who will participate in illegal activities knowingly or unknowingly will be met with appropriate legal measures.
