UDJP gears up for the General Assembly

KNASSO Press Release | April 22, 2008

Democratic institutions can only be built with the active participation of the People. The former Kinijit (CUDP) is now organized as the Unity for Democracy and Justice Party (UDJP) and it is continuing the tradition of laying the foundation for a strong democratic, broad based, and all inclusive organization.

UDJ Executive Committee authorized the formation of three sub-committees. The names indicate what they have been charged with: Signature Collection and General Assembly Preparation Committee, Public Relations Committee and Legal Document Preparation Committee.

The Constitutional requirement for the formation of a party is the collection of 1500 signatures. UDJ has managed to collect four times the required number. The Delegates visits to various parts of the nation have been accepted with enthusiasm. We can say that this is a testimonial for the strong hunger that the people have for a mass based Democratic Party.

Due to the lack of independent and free media in our country our Party has been forced to rely on interviews by foreign broadcasters such as VOA and DW to communicate its activities to its supporters. The Public Relations Committee has also taken advantage of the few non-governmental newspapers to inform the public. It is our belief that the new party is making itself felt in all regions of the country.

The Legal department has successfully assembled lawyers, political scientists, labor leaders, and civic organization to help draft and improve the previous CUDP by-laws and political programs. On Saturday, April 19, 2008 more than one hundred UDJ officials, academicians, and experts held a meeting to study and analyze the prepared documents. It was lively and very informative meeting in the tradition of Kinijit.

The assembly discussed the process of party formation and the necessity of involving the public in the political process. The assembly was very conscious and appreciative of the Diaspora’s involvement in the affairs of their country. UDJP believes that the Diaspora is an integral part of the Ethiopian movement for democracy and justice. The Diaspora will be asked to comment and contribute its share of ideas on the prepared documents through its various chapters and support organizations. The final UDJP documents will also be available on the internet to the general public for comment. UDJP believes in transparency and in the fundamental right of the people ‘to know’ and to be involved in the affairs of their country.

Knijit North America Association of Support Organizations (KNAASO) is committed to the success of UDJP. The last two years have proven that the vast majority of the Diaspora is supportive of our efforts to fight for democracy in our homeland. We believe that the time of divisive and self-destructive policies of the past are behind us and we look forward to working on results oriented actions that bring our people together. We are against ‘despair and defeatism and embrace hope and the ‘I can do Attitude.’

The task ahead of us is not easy. We know that spirit of Kinijit, which today is embodied in UDJ, is sure to prevail. Our motto for this year is ‘MEBTE YE TESATFONA YE TEGEL WETET NEW’ Your involvement in this noble cause to bring justice and democracy to our country is vital.

Keep Hope Alive!!
God Bless Ethiopia!

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The above report was released by Kinijit North America Association of Support Organizations (KNAASO).