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ADDIS
ABABA, September 12, 2009 – Ethiopia could suffer ethnic violence next
year ahead of its first national elections since a 2005 poll triggered
street clashes following a disputed victory for the government, a think
tank has said.
In a study released over the weekend, the International Crisis Group (ICG)
warned of the potential for a violent eruption of conflict ahead of the
election scheduled for May 2010 because of rising ethnic tensions and
dissent.
"The international community must stop ignoring and downplaying these
problems and encourage meaningful democratic governance in the country,"
the ICG said in a statement.
Ethiopian government officials were not immediately available to
comment.
The 2005 elections were touted as Ethiopia's first truly democratic
poll. But they ended in bloodshed after the government declared victory
and the opposition cried foul.
Police and soldiers then killed about 200 people who had taken to the
streets in protest. Prime Minister Meles Zenawi accused the
demonstrators of trying to topple the government.
Rights groups regularly accuse his administration of cracking down on
opponents. One party leader has been jailed and several former and
serving military officers have been charged in recent months with
plotting to oust Meles.
The ruling Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) is
made up of parties from all major ethnic groups.
It introduced a system of "ethnic federalism" when it took power in
1991, after a communist regime was toppled, with major ethnicities
controlling the regions where they dominate.
The government says that gives all ethnicities equal power.
"Ethnic federalism has not dampened conflict, but rather increased
competition among groups fighting for land, natural resources,
administrative boundaries and government budgets," said Francois Grignon,
director of the ICG's Africa Program.
"This concept has powerfully promoted ethnic self-awareness among all
groups and failed to accommodate grievances."
The ICG called on donors who give money to sub-Saharan Africa's second
most populous country -- which is one of the world's biggest recipients
of foreign aid -- to put pressure on Meles' government.
Source: Reuters, Sept 08, 2009
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