Thursday 11^th August 2005

African Union commends conduct of Ethiopian polls

The African Union (AU) has commended the conduct of Ethiopia’s polls and has urged all political parties to work together to resolve any problems after the National Electoral Board (NEBE) announced the official results for 492 federal seats from the May 15th elections. The statement, which was issued the day after the results were released, can be read below.

STATEMENT OF THE AFRICAN UNION ON THE ETHIOPIAN LEGISLATIVE ELECTIONS HELD ON SUNDAY, 15 MAY 2005

Following the announcement yesterday by the National Electoral Board of Ethiopia (NEBE) of the results of the elections held on 15 May 2005, the African Union wishes to congratulate the people of Ethiopia for having freely expressed their will in the process.

The African Union has from the outset, followed with keen interest the democratization process in Ethiopia and has shown commitment by playing an important and effective role in the pre-election, election and post election periods of its Third Democratic Elections.

In the aftermath of the organization and conduct of the May 15th polls, the African Union continued to be seized with developments in the country and engaged itself fully in the work of the Complaints Investigation Panels set up by the NEBE in order to resolve the differences among the political parties. This was done within the spirit of the “African Union Declaration on the Principles Governing Democratic Elections in Africa” which, among other things, stresses respect for the rule of law, respect for human rights and a culture of peace and stability.

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 African Union urges continued adherence to this quality leadership so as to deepen the process of democratization in the country and appeals to all political parties to work together in the national interest and if need be, pursue any outstanding issues through due processes of the law and agreed mechanisms including dialogue.

The African Union remains steadfast in its conviction that the process for the furtherance of development and the enhancement of democracy on the continent can only be attained if peace, security and stability are promoted and upheld.

Addis Ababa,

10 August 2005

ENDS