DISSENT GROUP
DENOUNCED
The Ethiopian Peoples Democratic Revolutionary Front (EPRDF) denounced the group that has recently dissented from the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF). During its meeting from March 19th to 22nd 2001, the General Council of the EPRDF fully discussed issues pertinent to to the recent episode in the Central Committee of the TPLF.
Even though the Council extended an invitation to the dissenting group to explain their positions and differences with the majority group in the Central Committee, they walked out of the meeting by imposing unacceptable procedural conditions.
The Council, however, examined the report presented to it by the TPLF Central Committee (the majority group) and its Chairman, and discussed the issue in detail. After carefully examining the issue, the Council adopted a resolution denouncing the dissenting group for violating the statutes of both the TPLF and the EPRDF.
The resolution further rejected the dissenting group for walking out of the meeting, undermining the democratic principles of the Council, where they were given a chance to freely explain their views.
The Council also warned the group not to be engaged in baseless propaganda that will undermine the unity of the Front and cautioned them to desist from activities that will jeopardize the rule of law.
Finally, the Council of the EPRDF extended its hand to the members of the dissenting group, inviting them back into the fold if they accept remorse for their undemocratic behaviour. The Council has reaffirmed that despite the destructive intent of the dissenting group, both the TPLF and the EPRDF remain on firm ground.
TPLF is one of the four members of the EPRDF and each of them have 20 representatives in the General Council of the EPRDF, which is the highest organ of the Front. The other member parties are the Amhara National Democratic Movement (ANDM), the Oromo People’s Democratic Organisation (OPDO) and the Southern Ethiopian People’s Democratic Front (SEPDF).