Ambassadors’ Donor Group Statement
September 13, 2005

The final results of Ethiopia’s historic 2005 elections issued by the NEB, including the results of revotes and the Somali Region elections, confirm the Ethiopian Peoples’ Revolutionary Democratic Front’s majority in Parliament.  We welcome the efforts of all parties to bring a new era of multi-party politics to Ethiopia, and look forward to a dynamic Parliament in which the opposition has a strong voice and there is a spirit of inclusiveness and cooperation.  Most of all, we congratulate the Ethiopian people for their demonstrated commitment to democracy. 

We urge all Ethiopians to move forward together into this era of multi-party politics in a new spirit.  This is why the irregularities and violence that occurred during the election process must be addressed so that they can be avoided in future elections.   Respect for constitutional institutions, commitment to peaceful solutions, freedom of the press and dialogue between parties on the key issues of the country are necessary for democracy to grow.  Violations of human and political rights must be investigated and the perpetrators brought to justice. 

Ethiopia stands at a crossroads; if dialogue and the constitutional rule of law are abandoned, the gains of the past decade will be lost.  We urge all parties to take their seats in the National Assembly with good will and mutual respect, to express the interests and views of all Ethiopians in a vibrant multi-party Parliament.  As Ethiopia's partners, we stand ready to support the development of Ethiopian democracy.

This statement is endorsed by:

Austria
Belgium
Bulgaria
Canada
Czech Republic
Denmark
Delegation of the European Commission
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Ireland
Italy
Japan
Netherlands
Norway
Poland
Portugal
Romania
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
United Kingdom
United States of America