Ethiopia’s Prosperity Party Fires Thousands of Party Members

Ethiopia’s Prosperity Party (PP) has fired thousands of its members. It was revealed by the Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed who is chairman of the Prosperity Party, Ethiopia’s ruling party.

On Monday, PM Abiy invited opposition parties for a meeting. The offer was declined by major opposition parties. Oromo Federalist Congress (OFC), Oromo Liberation Front (OLF), Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF), Afar Democratic Party, Tigray Arena Party etc boycotted the meeting. Professor Merera Gudina, OFC chairman, said that Prosperity Party and PM were not sincere in holding dialogue with opposition parties on national issues. Rather the Prime Minister wanted just a photo shoot with opposition parties.

Some small parties attended the meeting called by the Prime Minister. At the meeting, the PM revealed that his Prosperity Party had fired 8,000 members in the last six months. He urged other parties to ensure transparency and internal accountability.

In recent months, the ruling party did not share any details of the party members fired. But the PM mentioned “corrupt practices” when he talked about firing 8,000 party members.

Opposition political parties accuse the Prime Minister of denying political space to opposition. Opposition parties’ offices are closed. They are not allowed to carry out any political activities. Several opposition politicians are either in hiding or they have fled abroad.

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