AU praises Ethiopian polls
10/08/2005 13:38 - (SA)
Addis Ababa - The African Union (AU) on Wednesday lauded Ethiopia's disputed May polls and urged calm in the aftermath of the long delayed release of results showing a ruling party victory after deadly violence in June.
"The African Union commends the people of Ethiopia and all political parties for demonstrating maturity and responsibility by participating in the multi-party democratic elections," the pan-African body said in a statement.
"The African Union appeals to all political parties to work together in the national interest and, if need be, pursue any outstanding issues through due process of the law and agreed mechanisms, including dialogue," it said.
The statement was released a day after the National Electoral Board of Ethiopia (Nebe) announced official results from the May polls giving the ruling party an absolute majority in the 547-seat parliament.
Opposition complain of vote rigging
The opposition, which claims the election was stolen through massive fraud, immediately rejected the returns and said it would challenge them in court, accusing the Nebe of ignoring its allegations of vote rigging and irregularities.
Opposition complaints about such fraud led to protests in the capital after the release of preliminary results which erupted in violence in June when police opened fire on crowds during demonstrations, killing at least 36 people.
The Addis Ababa-based AU called on Ethiopians to settle any unresolved election issues peacefully, saying prospects for development in the impoverished Horn of Africa nation would suffer otherwise.
"The African Union remains convinced that the process for the furtherance of development and enhancement of democracy on the continent can only be attained if peace, security and stability are promoted and upheld," the statement said.
AU is fully sponsored by a bunch of dictatorial regimes in Africa. We should not expect anything of substance to come out of that entity.
May be with the exception of Senegal, Gahana, Botswana and South Africa, the rest of African states are in total disaray. Of course, they have to support one of their own kind.
Remember Au e Ethiopian Orthodox Xhurch, under the Leadership of Paulos were the only two institutions that declared EPRDF winner right after the election in May. I bet you the shameful Paulos would follow suit.
