Addis Ababa: The Government Communication Service (GCS) stated that the fundamental principle of the Pretoria Agreement is adherence to the constitution and its institutions.
In a statement it issued today on current affairs of the country, GCS recalled that National Election Board of Ethiopia (NEBE) has recently issued registration of certificate to TPLF as a political party in accordance with the amended election proclamations number 1332/2016 article 2 (1).
It said the government accepts and commends decisions made by constitutional institutions based on legal and institutional freedom as it is the fruits of the ongoing reform.
The TPLF lost its legal status following the decision made by NEBE based on the Proclamation of Political Parties’ Registration and Code of conduct. The Board passed this decision due to TPLF’s involvement in violent activities.
The GCS emphasized that this decision was independent of the subsequent declaration of the TPLF as a terrorist organization by the House of People’s Rep
resentatives.
Regarding the Pretoria Agreement, the statement clarified that federal government’s obligation was to facilitate the removal of the TPLF’s terrorist designation, as indicated under article 7 (2) (C) and there is no particular responsibility or obligation that the government had taken concerning TPLF’s legal status or registration.
The statement further asserted that TPLF’s commitment to respect the constitution, laws, federal institutions and other constitutional institutions as outlined in the agreement’s article 7 (1) stressing the need for TPLF operate by complying with the country’s political party registration laws and NEBE’s mandate.
Hence, the issue of TPLF’s legal status should be resolved only through the existing pertinent laws and the procedures of NEBE with respect to the Pretoria agreement.
The statement noted that the federal government has been making efforts to facilitate ways for the party regains its status as political party by conducting series of discussions with the lea
ders of TPLF and NEBE.
According to NEBE’s position in this matter, the only legal alternative available to TPLF is to register as a new party using the same procedures that other newly formed political parties must follow.
However, TPLF argued for recognition as an existing political organization insisting that it is an old political organization. It also claimed that the matter is not only legal but political that requires a particular political decision.
Accordingly, to bridge this gap and ensure a peaceful resolution, the government initiated legal reforms to accommodate the TPLF and other similar groups by recognizing the freedom and independence of institutions.
Following these legal amendments, the federal government amended the law and approved by the House of Peoples’ Representative.
After revising the Election, Political Parties Registration and Code of Conduct Proclamation, the Ministry of Justice communicated the necessary steps for the TPLF to obtain legal status to the NEBE.
The government
emphasized its proactive role in facilitating discussions between the NEBE and the TPLF. Therefore, the statement underlined that the government has done everything to resolve the issue of TPLF’s legal status.
Election board has requested cooperation to the board in order to register TPLF and gain its legal status and recognition based on the amended law, Government Communication Service indicated.
Accordingly, TPLF has been registered and granted its legal status as a political party based on the amended proclamation after the party submitted its program, bylaw, and other related documents to the National Election Board of Ethiopia.
GCS concluded its statement by calling for cooperation among all stakeholders to prioritize peace, reconstruction, and development. It urged a shift in focus from contentious debates to constructive efforts that benefit the people.
Source : Ethiopian News Agency