European Union election observers have praised the preparations in the run up to the forthcoming Ethiopian national elections on 15^th May.

Tim Clarke, Head of the EU delegation in Addis Ababa, said “never before in Ethiopian history has there been such an open debate in the country.”

He was speaking on 9^th May, after the last contingent of EU election observers arrived in Ethiopia to take up their positions across the country.

“For those people who have been here a long time, it’s a miracle what is happening these days,” he said, making reference to the changes that have taken place since the time of the Derg regime.

He noted that while there were some glitches, it should be remembered that the upcoming election was only the third in the country’s history.

ENDS