October 18, 1997
by Kisut G/Egziabher
Addis Ababa - The Ethiopian Somali Democratic League(ESDL) yesterday
expressed support for the decisions of the recent extraordinary
conference of the Somali State council which ousted from office the
former executive body and named a provisional government.
At a press statement which he made here along with other ESDL members, league chairmen Dr. Abdulmejid Hussien, said that the measure is a practical expression of the now accepted belief that public confidence and trust is the only way to power. According to him, the decision is also warning to potential "conspirators and saboteurs in the state and elsewhere in the Federation."
"It is moreover a guarantee to constituencies anywhere that similar attempts will always be a futile exercise," he underscored.
The League also expressed readiness to closely work with the new regional government and facilitate on-going development ventures in the state.
Admitting that the majority of the conspirators were ESDL members, the chairman said that the League will in due course take appropriate disciplinary measures against hem which could include total dismissal from membership.
Asked if the recent political crisis adversely affects the planned ESDL-ONLF merger as well as the progress of development projects in the state, Dr. Abdulmejid said: "since the Ogaden national Liberation Front also never approved the coup attempt, definitely it will not hinder the overall plan; it however affects the time-table because we will have to take some time to evaluate the political posture of some of our members. As to the effect on development projects, yes it will temporarily, negatively, affect them until the new executive committee gets settled."
Answering a question on whether the decision to have an ONLF president, when in fact the ESDL won a majority seat in the state legislature, is not a breach of the state constitution, Dr. Abdul- Mejid said that 14 of the 21 executive committee members still belong to ESDL and that sharing the power only strengthens the unity of the Somalis.
Asked why an ESDL candidate declined the nomination for presidency, Ambassador Mohamoud Drir who attended the press conference said that it was only for personal reasons and had nothing to do with League policy.
The coup attempt was staged against the state president on September 27. it is to be recalled that the state council called an extraordinary conference which was held in Jijiga between October 10 and 13, deposed the former executive organ and installed a new provisional government.
___________ Ethiopian News Agency (ENA)