- Veteran politician, Gizachew Shiferaw, resigns from leadership

Having over six years of experience in participating in opposition parties, Gizachew Shiferaw (Eng.), who served in high levels of party leadership, has made an announcement that he has resigned from his position in the party — Unity for Democracy and Justice (UDJ) — at the 2nd general assembly on December 11, 2011 at the Hotel d’Afrique off Dej. Wolde Mikael Street near Mexico Square. Gizachew presented his resignation request to the members of the general assembly and stated that he aid not want to continue in UDJ’s leadership due to not having the capacity or inclination to continue in political life and finding that his 'force for politics had been extinguished from within him'.

UDJ’s December 10 meeting endorsed Medrek's move from a coalition entity to a front in a 36-page program in a unanimous vote. In addition, certificates of appreciation were handed out to 40 members.

On Sunday December 11, both the UDJ and Berhan for Unity and Demoracy parties met separately and then together at the Hotel d’Afrique. At the joint meeting, the coalition of the two parties was finalized in an 8-point declarative document.

After the merger, Negasso Gidada (Ph.D.), Negat Asfaw (Ph.D.) and Zeleke Redi presented their candidacy. A few hours before the vote Negat removed himself from the race and gave his votes to Negasso, the former president of Ethiopia and chairman of the Addis Ababa branch of UDJ party as well as a member of the national governing body of the party, Negat cited his confidence in Negasso Gidada's capability as the causal factor of his decision. On this occasion, he stated that he did not follow a hostile path to struggle and that the UDJ was a law-abiding organization.

After the votes were tallied, Negasso received 179 votes for chairmanship of UDJ, winning by a long shot against Zelke Redi who got 29 votes. Other party officials were also elected on the occasion, including national executive committee members and audit and control officers.

By HAILE MULU
EthiopianReporter