Reaffirming their unwavering determination to put an end to the
underlying causes of repression, bloodshed, insecurity, political instability and exclusion in Ethiopia and the region which is inflicting severe hardships and suffering on all the people, and seriously hampers the prospects for development and the attainment of equality and social justice;
Reaffirming their commitment to shape a political order and a system of government inspired by the universal aspiration for freedom and founded on the values of justice, liberty, equality, democracy, good
governance, pluralism, respect for the fundamental rights and freedoms, solidarity, mutual understanding, tolerance and cooperation;
Convinced that the realization of these ideals demands the cooperation of the Parties and the coordination of their activities towards the establishment of a democratic process leading to genuine healing and reconciliation and lasting peace;
Conscious that the failure of the political forces opposed to the TPLF
regime to develop mutual understanding and coordinate their struggle
benefited no one but rather contributed in prolonging tyranny and
perpetuated the misery and agony of all,
Convinced that working together to materialize the higher interests of
the people and the establishment of a genuinely democratic transition
where competing visions could freely and peacefully compete for the
verdict of the people is in the best interest of the Parties;
Resolved therefore to guarantee freedom and democracy in Ethiopia and the region,
Have in consequence decided to set up the Alliance for Freedom and
Democracy, and have for this purpose adopted this Statute:
Chapter I - Establishment of the Alliance
Article 1
The Alliance for Freedom and Democracy ("the Alliance") is hereby
established. Its objectives, tasks, code of conduct, and organs shall be governed by the provisions of this statute.
Article 2
Member organizations shall maintain their respective political programs and enjoy their organizational independence and autonomy.
Article 3
The Parties commit themselves to refrain from any act or behavior
contrary to the provisions of the Amsterdam Agreement, and to spare no effort to ensure that the provisions of the agreement are fully respected and implemented in their letter and spirit in order to ensure the attainment of genuine freedom, democracy, reconciliation, lasting peace, security for all and an equitable sharing of power and resources.
Article 4
The documents of the Alliance shall be made in English. Certified
translations can be made in other languages; The official languages of the Alliance are Afaan Oromo, Amharic and English;
Member organizations can however use the language of their choice for their independent activities without any prejudice by the Alliance or its members;The Alliance would strive to ensure that all languages and the positive aspects of the cultures they embody receive equal recognition and protection.
Chapter II - Aim of the Alliance
Article 1
The aim of the Alliance is to establish a working arrangement that:
Ensures liberty, peace, justice, and the rule of law;
Promotes peace in Ethiopia and the region, ensuring that the resulting
peace dividend shall be enjoyed by all;
Lays the foundation for a fully democratic system in Ethiopia that
meets the aspirations of all and address their grievances by instituting a genuinely representative political order;
Guarantees the supremacy of the rule of law based on the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights and relevant United Nations Covenants;
Reaffirms respect for and commitment to the basic norms of
international law and the principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations;
Achieves a new, just, and democratic Ethiopia where all human and
democratic rights are fully respected; and
Genuinely and boldly addresses the serious issues in Ethiopia and
amicably resolves the many intractable conflicts in the region thereby
laying the foundations for lasting peace, democracy, stability and
development.
Promote the core democratic values of the rule of law, equality before the law and liberty of the individual, individual and collective freedoms, popular participation in decision making, free and fair elections, separation of powers and the independence of the judiciary;
Develop the mutual. understanding and trust between parties, their members and constituents to boldly address the serious issues in Ethiopia that have been the root causes of conflicts lasting for generations and amicably resolve them thereby laying the foundations for lasting peace, democracy, stability and development throughout the region; and These aims shall be pursued through the organs of the Alliance and the coordinated efforts of member organizations.
Chapter III - Functions of the Alliance
Article 1
The Alliance shall:
Coordinate the activities of member organizations by mobilizing and
galvanizing their respective constituencies in order to achieve freedom, lasting peace, and democracy;
Convene an inclusive conference to establish a workable arrangement on
the basis of the present framework of the Ethiopian constitution;
Pool together the Parties' resources and talents in order to conduct an
effective political and diplomatic campaign;
Work together to promote brotherly relations among all the people in
Ethiopia by mitigating and preventing all forms of inter-communal and
inter-confessional discord;
Uphold a culture of peaceful resolution of intrastate and interstate
conflicts in the region and enhancing regional cooperation as a vehicle
to create conditions for peace, stability, economic development, and
political integration;
Promote harmony between the Parties and their constituents by
overcoming the history of mistrust through dialogue, mutual understanding and
respect;
Advance the development of democratic culture and institutions; and
Actively promote good relations between Ethiopia and Eritrea based on
the agreement to be reached between the two sister countries.
Chapter IV - Seat of the Alliance
Article 1
The seat of the Alliance shall be established at ______________ (city),
(Country).
Article 2
The Alliance may move its headquarters elsewhere, whenever necessary.
Chapter V - Membership
Article 1
The members of the Alliance are the Parties to this Statute.
Article 2
A political organization with a proven track record of snuggle,
recognized Leadership, political program and constituency which is deemed to
be able and willing to fulfill the provisions of this Statute may be
invited or may itself submit application to become a member. Admission
shall be based on the majority vote of the existing members.
Article 3
A member may withdraw by formally notifying the Alliance of its
intention to do so. Such withdrawal shall take effect a month after the
receipt of the notification.
Article 4
A member of the Alliance that violates the terns and conditions of this
Statute may be suspended from membership. A suspended member has the
right to appeal to the Governing Council within 30 days of the
notification of suspension.
Article 5
Save for those specifically delegated to the Alliance in accordance
with this Statute, any member organization shall maintain its
organizational independence.
Member organizations shall have the right to air their ideas and
participate in the activities of the Alliance in accordance with this
Statute.
Member organizations are entitled to petition for the convening of the
meeting of the Governing Council in accordance with this Statute.
The Alliance shall have its financial records audited once a year and
such report shall be made available member organizations.
Member organizations shall refrain from engaging in activities directed
against each other and in any activity that in any way compromises the
security of a member organization. Violator of this article is subject
to expulsion.
Notwithstanding Article 3.5 of this Constitution, member organizations
are not prohibited from expounding their political belief, and
recruiting their own members in accordance with their respective laws, rules
and programs.
Member organization shall refrain from engaging in any activity that in
any way compromises the security of another member organization.
Without prejudice to Article 3.6, member organizations may establish
bilateral cooperation to further coordinate their activities.
All member organizations shall have the duty to propagate and promote
the objectives of the Alliance support all its activities and implement
decisions taken by it.
Chapter VI - Organs of the Alliance
Article 1
The organs of the Alliance are:
i. the Governing Council; and
ii. the Executive Committee
Article 2
The Executive Committee may establish other bodies as it deems
necessary.
Article 3
The Governing Council is the highest organ of the Alliance.
Article 4
a- The Governing Council shall consist of representatives of each
member, delegated by i t s organization from among its leadership.
b- Each member organization shall be entitled to three
representatives on the Governing Council, and each representative shall be entitled
to one vote. The head of a member organization shall be one of the
representatives on the Council.
c- Each representative must be a member in good standing of his her
organization.
d- Member organizations may recall their representatives at any
time, with or without case, by giving written notice.
Article 5
The Governing Council shall adopt its rules of procedure and shall
elect through consensus the Chairperson and Vice-Chairman for a period of 1
year.
Article 6
Subject to the provisions of this Statute, all resolutions of the
Governing Council shall require a two-thirds majority vote of the
representatives.
Article 7
The Governing Council shall meet in ordinary session twice a year
Article 8
The Governing Council may be convened in special session, upon the
initiative either of the Chairman or the written request of at least three
member organizations.
Chapter VII - Executive Committee
Article 1
The Executive Committee is made of the following:
Chairman
Vice-Chairman and Head of Political Affairs
Head of Foreign Relations
Deputy Head of Relations
Head of Information
Deputy Head of Information
Head of Finance
Article 2
The Executive Committee may suspend a member organization for due
cause. Failing to fulfill ones financial obligation may be a cause for
suspension.
Article 3
The Executive Committee shall report of its activities at all sessions
of the Council.
Chapter VIII - Duties of the Officers of the Alliance
Article 1
Chairman:
Represents the Alliance.
Serves as the chief executive and chief spokesperson of the Alliance.
Directs and supervises the Executive Committee in the implementation of
the decisions of the Council.
Calls and presides over the meeting of the Executive Committee and the
Council.
Presents at each regular or special meetings of the Council the report
of the work of the Executive Committee.
Co-signs the checks or drafts of the Alliance.
Article 2
Vice-Chairman:
Carry out the duties of the Chairman in the absence of the Chairman.
Head fie Political Affairs Committee
Execute all other duties assigned by the Chairman.
Article 3
Head of Foreign Relations:
Carry out the diplomatic mission of the Alliance.
Head the Foreign Relations Committee of the Alliance.
Execute all other duties assigned by the Chairman.
Article 4
Head of Information:
Disseminate information to the public.
Build good working relations with the media
Head the Information Committee of the Alliance.
Execute all other duties assigned by the Chairman.
Article 5
Head of Finance:
Manage the financial activities of the Alliance
Head the Finance Committee of the Alliance.
Serve as a custodian for all the funds and properties of the Alliance.
Co-sign the checks or drafts of the Alliance.
Prepare the financial reports and the budget of the Alliance.
Execute all other duties assigned by the Chairman.
Chapter IX - Dues
The major source of resources for the Alliance shall be from members.
There shall be a $20,000 annual membership fee.
The fiscal year shall be from June 1st until May 31st.
Membership Dues must be paid in full by July 31st within the fiscal
year.
Chapter X - Settlement of disputes
Any dispute concerning the activities of the Alliance shall be settled
through dialogue between the parties affected.
Any other dispute between two or more Parties relating to the
interpretation or application of this Statute which is not settled through
negotiations within three months of their commencement shall be referred to
the Governing Council.
The settlement given by the Council by a 2/3 vote shall be final and
binding.
Chapter XI- Final Provisions
Article 1
The Statutes may be amended or repealed and new Statutes may be adopted
by a 2/3 vote of the Governing Council at any regular meeting, or at
special meeting called for this purpose, provided a written notice and
intention of the meeting is conveyed to members .
Article 2
This Statute shall be in effect on the date it is signed by the
Parties.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned being duly authorized thereto by
their respective organizations, have signed this Statute.
DONE at (city), this --- the day of May 2006.
Oromo Liberation Front (OLF)
Dawud Ibsa, Chairman
Yoseph Yazew, NA Committee Chairman
Coalition for Unity and Democracy Party (CUDP)
Abdulkadir Himooge, 2"' Vice-Chairman
Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF)
Fasika Belete, Chairman
United Ethiopian Democratic Forces (UEDF)
Galfato Seqa, Chairman
Sidama Liberation Front (SLF)
Meskerern, Chairman
Ethiopian People's Patriotic Forces (EPPF)
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