Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


Ethiopia Must Set Right Environment for Election, US Says

Nike Ching

   WASHINGTON - The United Statessaid it"strongly supportsdemocratization
   in Ethiopia"as it nearsanational electionJune 5, while notinga"free,
   fair, and credibleelection" canhappen only with a conducive electoral
   environment.

   The statement comesamidahumanitarian crisis and conflict in Ethiopia's
   northern Tigray region.[1]U.S. Secretary of State AntonyBlinkenhad
   pressed for Ethiopia's and Eritrea's commitments to withdraw Eritrean
   troops from Tigray"immediately, in full, and in a verifiable
   manner."Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said in late March that
   Eritrea had agreed to withdraw its forces from Tigray.Abiy Ahmed then
   traveled to Eritrea and met with President Isaias Afwerki, but
   despiteassurances from Abiy that Eritrea would withdrawU.S. officials
   said there is no evidenceto datethat such a withdrawal has occurred.

   Ethiopiahas struggledto preparefortheJune
   5generalelectionsbecauseofdifficulties in registering voters.The
   general electionshave been delayedsinceAugustbecause ofthe COVID-19
   pandemic.Administrative elections for the cities of Addis Ababa and
   DireDawaare scheduledforJune 12.

   "If that(aconducive electoral environment)is to be achieved, the
   government of Ethiopia must respect the freedom of assembly, the
   freedom of speech, political participation, and access to internet and
   information,"said State Department spokesperson Ned Price Monday during
   a briefing."Political parties, we know, should discourage violence, and
   state security forces must demonstrate restraint in the use of force
   and partisan tactics."

   "We're also working closely with international partners to promote
   community-based dialogue to minimize violence surrounding the
   elections,"Priceadded,in response to questions posed byVOA.

   The State Department did notsaywhetheritbelievestheelectionswillgo
   forward as plannedunderthecircumstances.
   Ethiopia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson, Dina Mufti
   addresses the media during a briefing regarding the current situation
   of the country in Addis Ababa, May 8, 2021.

   Former U.S. Ambassador to Ethiopia'¯David'¯Shinn told VOAit is
   notpossible to have an election intheTigray region, adding"there are
   some real concerns as to the viability of an election on
   June5th"inEthiopia,outside of Tigray.

   The unrestandrestrictions onoutside observershaveled some to question
   the electoral process. On May 3, the European Union High
   Representative[2]JosepBorrell issued a statement announcing the
   cancellation of an election observation mission to Ethiopia. Borrell
   cited disagreement "on key parameters" for anEUElectoral Observation
   Mission. "As conditions are not fulfilled, the deployment of the
   mission has to be cancelled," the statement added.

   'Deep concerns'

   OnMonday,a bipartisanU.S.congressional statement expressed deep
   concerns for thecontinued presence of Eritrean forcesin Tigray.

   "The onlyviablepath toward a durable cessation of hostilities and
   inclusive political dialogue will not be found through military action.
   The continued presence of Eritrean forces, who have
   beencrediblyimplicated in gross violations of human rights in Tigray,
   is a majorimpedimentto resolving this conflict,"saidcongressmenGregory
   Meeks,thechairmanof House Committee on Foreign Affairs,andMichael
   McCaul, theranking member of thecommittee.

   TheU.S. willcontinue topausenon-humanitarianassistanceto Ethiopia to
   pressure Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's government to do more
   toendatrocities inTigray.But the State Departmentwill continue other
   humanitarian aid to the country.

   "As we consider our aid to Ethiopia, we want to make sure that in the
   first instance,we'renot doing anything that would place a further
   burden on the people of Tigray, who are in such humanitarian
   plight,"said Price.

   "We want to make sure that as we consider any future steps that we
   continue to do all we can to support them,"he added.

   TheTigray crisis was amongissues discussed atlast week's G-7 foreign
   ministerial meetings in London.

   Inacommunique, foreign ministerscalled on"all parties to cease
   hostilities immediately, ensure the protection of civilians and respect
   human rights and international law as well as media freedom and access,
   and hold those responsible for human rights violations and abuses,
   including sexual violence, accountable."

References

   1. https://www.state.gov/secretary-blinkens-call-with-ethiopian-prime-minister-abiy-ahmed/]
   2. https://eeas.europa.eu/headquarters/headquarters-homepage/97691/ethiopia-statement-high-representative-josep-borrell-cancellation-election-observation-mission_en

.