Borkena
Toronto – EZEMA is disputing a court decision from Hareri regional state with case number 0916. The court has given a decision on the party’s member ,along with other individuals ,whom the court barred from running for Hareri regional council in the upcoming election.
Being ethnic Hadere is a requirement to elect and be elected to the regional council – something that EZEMA argues is against the constitution of the country which stipulates citizens’ right to elect and be elected without regard for ethnicity, religion or any other identity.
However, EZEMA is asserting, in a statement it released on Friday, that their member whose name is unspecified was running for the Federal parliament.
It also said that the party was not aware about the court case and the decision was made without the party’s knowledge.
The National Electoral Board of Ethiopia (NEBE) has requested the court, according to EZEMA party statement, an explanation regarding the decision to no avail.
Court ruling “in the absence of our party” represents a political decision rather than justice, EZEMA argued and was demanding for a stay of execution of the ruling.
It appears the electoral board was also part of the decision to not allow an EZEMA candidate against which the party was asking for reconsideration.
The case showcases how citizenship rights are overwritten in ethnic based regions in the country. It is like a citizenship right – which is mentioned in the current constitution whose greatest mission was to entrench and legalize ethnic federalism – does not seem to exist in reality in Ethiopia.
EZEMA, a party which was extensively criticized for being a ruling party clique which is considered to be a substantively ethno-nationalist party dominated by ethnic Oromo nationalists – has not specified the next step it is taking except saying “it will fight the case until the end.”
The party has opposed the government in some occasions including during the currency exchange regime change expressing concern over potential consequences and linking pitfalls to the ruling party but no follow up action
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I hope the Ezema Party will take the situation our Harari brothers and sisters have been facing into consideration and withdraw its candidate from Harar City. Hararis are one of the most endangered ethnic groups in the country. That city is said to have a population of about 150,000 and Hararis are said to be only about 12%. The rest are other ethnic groups. For equitable representation purposes Hararis must have a seat or more in the nation’s parliament. I hope Ezema will gracefully accommodate that. That is just my humble opinion. Ok bigots! Hush!! Zip it!!!