Ethiopia between Election Events: The Possibility of U-Turn in to Authoritarianism

Presenter's country

Ethiopia

Start Date

28-5-2016 9:30 AM

End Date

28-5-2016 10:35 AM

Location

Hall II

Submission type

Presentation

Abstract

The 2005 election was a historic opening of democratic space in Ethiopia. Since in power, the incumbent for the first time had to face a democratic challenge. Its fruit had a bitter taste though. The hardliner oppositions, 'irresponsibility’ discarded the Verdict of the public and EPRDF stick to 'irreconcilable' politics. That led to election crisis accompanied by political deadlock and bloodshed. Now there is no way to allow things go back as they were in 2005. 'Repressive' laws were enacted; millions of youngsters were recruited through 'stick and carrot' strategy. All that curtailed the political space in the elections to come; left little or no ground for the opposition to make any effective competition. The 'hate' politics and disintegrations within the major oppositions coupled by political intimidations against MEDREK, grand opposition coalition in 2010, the two [succeeding elections were] essentially failed. Contrary to that of 2005, where there was almost no clear cut winner, EPRDF currently controlled 99.6 percent of the federal parliament; which isn't a case in any democracies. The situation reminded the country's last decade of the 20th century. The writer argues that the implication is Ethiopia has just joined the 'electoral Authoritarianism' camp.

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May 28th, 9:30 AM May 28th, 10:35 AM

Ethiopia between Election Events: The Possibility of U-Turn in to Authoritarianism

Hall II

The 2005 election was a historic opening of democratic space in Ethiopia. Since in power, the incumbent for the first time had to face a democratic challenge. Its fruit had a bitter taste though. The hardliner oppositions, 'irresponsibility’ discarded the Verdict of the public and EPRDF stick to 'irreconcilable' politics. That led to election crisis accompanied by political deadlock and bloodshed. Now there is no way to allow things go back as they were in 2005. 'Repressive' laws were enacted; millions of youngsters were recruited through 'stick and carrot' strategy. All that curtailed the political space in the elections to come; left little or no ground for the opposition to make any effective competition. The 'hate' politics and disintegrations within the major oppositions coupled by political intimidations against MEDREK, grand opposition coalition in 2010, the two [succeeding elections were] essentially failed. Contrary to that of 2005, where there was almost no clear cut winner, EPRDF currently controlled 99.6 percent of the federal parliament; which isn't a case in any democracies. The situation reminded the country's last decade of the 20th century. The writer argues that the implication is Ethiopia has just joined the 'electoral Authoritarianism' camp.