EPPF_AFD

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EPPF and AFD

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Press Statement of
the formation of the Alliance for Freedom and Democracy (AFD).

Picture starting from the left side :
1st, Mr Abdulkadir Hirmooge, 2nd Vice-Chairman of the Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF)
2nd, Mr Meskerem Atalay, Chairman of the Ethiopian People's Patriotic Front (EPPF)
3rd, Mr Dawud Ibsa, Chairman of the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF)
4th, Mr Yoseph Yazew, Chairman of NA.Committee of the Coalition for Unity and Democracy Party
(CUDP)
5th, Mr Galfato Feqa, Chairman of the Sidama Liberation Front (SLF)
6th, Mr Meazo Meke of the South Ethiopian Peoples Justice & Equality Front (SEPJE)

The formation of
the Alliance for Freedom and Democracy (AFD)
at Utrecht in Netherlands, from 19th to 22nd of May 2006
by
the Coalition for Unity and Democracy Party (CUDP)
the Ethiopian People's Patriotic Front (EPPF)
the Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF)
the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) and
the Sidama Liberation Front (SLF)

Press Statement
May 22, 2006

A historic meeting convened, by the Coalition for Unity and Democracy Party (CUDP), the
Ethiopian People's Patriotic Front (EPPF), the Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF), the
Oromo Liberation Front (OLF), the Sidama Liberation Front (SLF) and the United Ethiopian
Democratic Forces (UEDF), at Utrecht in Netherlands, from 19 to 22 of May 2006 has
successfully completed by forming the Alliance for Freedom and Democracy (AFD) and elected
its officers. The UEDF supports the formation of the alliance and its objectives and has
requested a month to consult its member organizations. The formation of the Alliance is an
outcome of a series of bilateral and multilateral discussions conducted in the past several
months. The Founding Agreement has been unanimously accepted and ratified by all
members of the Alliance. The formation of this Alliance reflects the aspirations and best
wishes of all people in Ethiopia whose life has been blighted by political repression,
marginalization and exclusion.

The ultimate aim of the Alliance is to establish a just, representative and a genuine
democratic process through the convening of an all-inclusive conference where the country’
s problems will be discussed and resolved.

We are confident that the formation of this Alliance will be a vehicle to eliminate mistrust and
suspicion between political groups and communities so that all will work together in the spirit
of mutual understanding and to the benefit and well-being of all. We believe the collective
effort behind the Alliance will put an end to the existing destructive mentality of winner takes
all and the habitual indifference towards the excluded. The Alliance aspires to purposefully
cultivate the values of compromise, tolerance, inclusion, reconciliation and mutual
understanding. That is the only way to end the underlying causes of repression, bloodshed,
insecurity, political instability and exclusion in Ethiopia and the region, which are inflicting
severe hardships and suffering on all people, and seriously hampers the prospects for
development and the attainment of equality, justice and prosperity.

Time and time again the people in Ethiopia have risen up and paid unimaginable sacrifice to
satisfy their yearning for freedom, justice, liberty and democracy. The struggle and the
sacrifice that is being paid in relation to the May 15 2006 election is a recent addition to the
series of quashed aspirations.

Our people have demonstrated their readiness and ability that a just and democratic political
order is feasible in Ethiopia. What stands between the aspiration for freedom and democracy
and its realization is the unwillingness of the incumbent EPRDF regime to submit to the
expressed will of the people and its flagrant violations of human rights and civil liberties and
failure to even respect and abide by its very own constitution.

The Alliance will therefore struggle to pressure the ruling party to stop frustrating the
realization of the yearning for freedom and democracy. The Alliance would use its generous
spirit of inclusiveness in convening the conference that would facilitate a way towards the
establishment of a democratic and representative order.

We call upon all the people of Ethiopia, both at home and abroad, to rise up in unison to
support the cause of the Alliance and struggle to make the convening of the conference,
which paves the way for a democratic transition, a reality. The struggle should continue to
challenge the current spate of repression in the country, halt the futile and destructive
military campaigns, security crackdowns and end the farcical political trial of elected members
of parliament and others and to free all political prisoners, including those detained in the
small towns and villages.

We also call upon the international community to realize that dialogue and good-faith
negotiation offers the only way to achieve a lasting solution and back the alliance's call for
this all-inclusive conference to break the current impasse. We hope the international
community will realize that peace and stability, sustainable development and good
governance can be a reality in Ethiopia only when the disfranchisement of the many by the
few is stopped and by bringing all the stakeholders together to chart a genuinely democratic
course.

Ethiopian's problems are immense and grossly complicated. Convening an all-inclusive
conference to address them is well over due. We do not underestimate the obstacles and
challenges facing us. However, with patience and perseverance we are certain that we will
succeed.

The Alliance would hold a Press Conference to lay out its vision and work programs in detail.

Freedom and Democracy for all!

AFD Prss
Statemetnts

www.Eppf -first.org Home

AFD STATEMENT ON
PROSPECTS OF WAR BETWEEN
SOMALIA AND THE REGIME IN
ETHIOPIA
October 28, 2006 (AFD) -In its
statement of June 5, 2006, the
Executive Committee of the
Alliance for Freedom and
Democracy (AFD) registered its
concern about worrisome
developments in Somalia,
particularly the attempt by the
minority TPLF/EPRDF regime in
Ethiopia to exploit the sad
situation in Somalia to deflect
attention from the deteriorating
situation in Ethiopia itself, to
salvage and recover its sagging
popularity at home and to garner
the support of the West,
particularly that of the United
States, by jumping on the
bandwagon of the war on terror.
.Full Report

AMHARIC PDF FILE

On Ethio
Somalia War

AFD New Year Message
(Amharic version)

Despicable crimes of a
dying regime: AFD
Statement on
Inter-religious strives
October 27, 2006 (AFD) -
The Alliance for Freedom
and Democracy condemns
in the strongest terms the
recent incidence of
inter-religious violence in
Jimma and Ilubabor zones
of Oromia, Southwestern
Ethiopia.
Full Report

AFD STATEMENT ON THE
DEVELOPMENT
UNFOLDING IN SOMALIA
Jul 5, 2006 -The Alliance
for Freedom and
Democracy (AFD) wishes to
express its deep concerns
regarding the
developments currently
unfolding in Somalia.

STATEMENT OF THE
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
OF THE ALLIANCE FOR
FREEDOM AND
DEMOCRACY (AFD)
Jul 3, 2006 -
The Executive Committee
recognizes that the
formation of the Alliance is
an unprecedented
undertaking. It is the first
time in the history of
Ethiopia that groups with
divergent political spectrum
joined to form an alliance of
a new kind.
Full Report