๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ (๐๐๐)
Caucus of Opposition Parties (COP), consisting of 11 largest opposition parties, held its regular meeting on July 16, 2022 to deliberate on burning issues currently affecting the country and on how to strengthen the works of COP in the coming Months.
The meeting extensively discussed the speed at which the conflict is spreading throughout the country and how this wide spread conflict is destabilizing the socio-economic lives of the population. On the meeting, it was deliberated that the conflict that has consumed much of the resources of the country has caused sky rocketing inflation as the result of which, today, basic necessities have become inaccessible for most. In the past months, most of the population is worried as to where the next meal will come for their children. Today, the entire population is in despair and hopelessness. People are most worried about their safety today than ever before.
The meeting unanimously agreed that, without political will to peacefully solve the conflict ravaging the entire country now, the conflict will grow in to irreversible stage and God forbids, is going to consume the entire country. Therefore, the COP reaffirmed its previous position that the only way out of the current conflict is to have a national dialogue that is: inclusive, impartial, transparent, comprehensive binding and due to mistrust between the conflicting, that involves the third party.
For genuine and credible national dialogue to succeed, the meeting has agreed the importance of taking confidence building measures such as: declaration of cease fire, cessation of hostilities, lifting the ban on warring parties, unconditional releasing of political prisoners, allowing all political freedoms, providing humanitarian assistance to the needy and resettlement of the IDPโs(internally displaced population).
Since COP is composed of the genuine opposition parties from most part of the country and as well the strongest alternative political force in the country, the parties discussed how to strengthen COP and make it effective. To this end, several strategies of strengthening operations of COP have been proposed by the meeting and approved for implementations.
Accordingly, Few days after COP meeting, COP delegation also had a meeting with diplomatic community consisting of more than ten(10) Embassies and discussed several pressing issues of national importance, as well as, the urgency of having a genuine, inclusive and transparent National Dialogue.
By seriously considering, the quest for the right to self-determination by: nations, nationalities and peoples of the South and elsewhere, its potential to add fuel to the conflict the country is suffering from, COP meeting calls for the parties to the conflict to show maximum restraints and work to solve the conflict according to the constitution.
The meeting has also extended a call to all political parties to join the Caucus of Opposition Parties COP after receiving some more request from other Political Parties whom have shown interest of membership. Therefore, We call up on all Political Parties who have interest in bringing: freedom, democracy and peace to join Caucus of Opposition Parties.
23 July, 2022
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
