Medrek

Medrek (Amharic: መድረክ), officially the Ethiopian Federal Democratic Unity Forum (Amharic: የኢትዮጵያ ፌዴራላዊ ዴሞክራሲያዊ አንድነት መድረክ), is an Ethiopian political coalition founded in 2008 by former defense minister Siye Abraha and former president Negasso Gidada. The election symbol of the party is five fingers.[1] On 2008 election, Medrek won a single seat in the House of Peoples' Representatives, representing an electoral district in Addis Ababa.[2] This was allegedly due to lack of election transparency. Medrek won 30% of the individual vote nationwide but it received only one seat in parliament because of Ethiopia's winner takes all system for each constituency.[3]

Ethiopian Federal Democratic Unity Forum
Medrek

መድረክ
ChairmanMerera Gudina
Vice-ChairmanBeyene Petros
Founded2008
HeadquartersAddis Ababa
IdeologySocial democracy
Democratic socialism
Ethnic federalism
Political positionCentre-left to left-wing
Ethiopia
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Background

Medrek was established by the Oromo Federalist Democratic Movement (OFDM), the Somali Democratic Alliance Forces (SDAF), and Arena Tigray (the Union of Tigrians for Democracy and Sovereignty, led by Gebru Asrat), former Ethiopian president Dr. Negasso Gidada, and Siye Abraha, former defense minister.[4] In December 2009, Medrek was joined by the largest opposition party, the Unity for Democracy and Justice, led by Birtukan Mideksa. Due to ideological differences and disagreement on ethnic federalism, the Unity for Democracy and Justice left the coalition after one year of participation.[5] The current coalition members include the Oromo People's Congress led by Merera Gudina, Oromo Federalist Democratic Movement led by Bekele Gerba, the Ethiopian Social Democratic Party led by Beyene Petros, the Union of Tigrayans for Democracy and Sovereignty (ARENA) led by Abraha Desta, and the Sidama Liberation Movement (SLM) led by Dr. Million Tumato.

Medrek fielded 270 candidates for the 2015 Ethiopian general election.[6]

Ideology

Medrek supports a social democratic economic model and the current ethnic federalism arrangement that has been implemented in Ethiopia since 1995. Medrek strongly supports preserving Ethiopian unity and sovereignty under the ethnic federal system. Medrek also supports making Afan Oromo, Tigrinya and Somali official languages of Ethiopia alongside Amharic.[7]

References
  1. "Parties Symbol & Logo". Electionethiopia.org. Retrieved 19 June 2015.
  2. Xan Rice, "Unease over extent of ruling party's landslide in Ethiopia", The Guardian, published 26 May 2010 (accessed 10 June 2010)
  3. "Ethiopia Faces Era of One-Party Rule". Archived from the original on 22 August 2010. Retrieved 18 August 2010.
  4. "Opposition holds 'Forum for Democratic Dialogue in Ethiopia'". Sudan Tribune. 3 July 2008. Archived from the original on 16 December 2020. Retrieved 16 December 2020.
  5. Bertukan Mideksa’s UDJ joins Medrek (an alliance of OFDM, OPC, ARENA, UEDF & SDF), Gadaa, 2009-02-11
  6. "National Electoral Board of Ethiopia". Electionethiopia.org. Retrieved 19 June 2015.
  7. Medrek announces Afan Oromo as second Official Language of Ethiopia


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