Feb 16, 2012

Sponsor: Fellows

Building Democratic Opposition Parties in Ethiopia:

Reflections from the Ground

a luncheon presentation featuring
Birtukan Midekssa, Reagan-Fascell Democracy Fellow

with comments by
Adrienne LeBas, Johns Hopkins University’s School of Advanced International Studies

Download Presentation ::PDF

About the Event

As a strategic partner of major world powers and a seeming beacon of stability in the Horn of Africa, Ethiopia is often lauded for its efforts in economic development and security. Yet, like many countries with a strong ruling party and debilitating ethnic cleavages, multi-party democracy in Ethiopia has stalled. The government’s repressive response to the 2005 elections diminished civic engagement and heralded the systematic narrowing of political space for civil society, the media, and parties through legal restrictions. These developments, along with internal disputes among party leadership, have fragmented Ethiopia’s political opposition and left it unable to deliver democratic advances.

In her presentation, Birtukan Midekssa discussed the challenges confronting the Ethiopian opposition, as well as their historical roots, and offered specific recommendations for strengthening multi-party democracy in Ethiopia. Her presentation was followed by comments by Adrienne LeBas.

About the Speakers

Birtukan Midekssa is a former federal judge and a leader of the pro-democracy opposition movement in Ethiopia. Hailed as the Aung San Suu Kyi of her country, she was sentenced to life in prison in 2005 after her party, the Coalition for Unity and Democracy, won an unprecedented number of seats in parliamentary elections. After eighteen months in prison, she was pardoned in 2007 following a series of high-level negotiations. Upon her release, she founded the Unity for Democracy and Justice Party (UDJ) and was elected its first chairperson. In 2008, she was arrested again for allegedly having violated the terms of her pardon and remained in prison for nearly two more years. In 2010, she was shortlisted for the European Parliament’s 2010 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought.

Prior to entering politics, Ms. Midekssa served as a defense attorney and federal judge, rendering numerous court decisions in support of the rule of law and in defense of fundamental constitutional liberties. During her fellowship, Ms. Midekssa is examining the factors that have contributed to the weakening of Ethiopia’s democratic opposition and exploring ways of strengthening it.

Adrienne LeBas is an assistant professor of government at American University’s School of Public Affairs.