The African Union on Wednesday lauded the conduct of Ethiopia’s disputed May polls and urged calm in the aftermath of the long-delayed release of results showing a ruling-party victory after deadly violence in June.
”The AU commends the people of Ethiopia and all political parties for demonstrating maturity and responsibility by participating in the multiparty democratic elections,” the pan-African body said in a statement.
”The African Union … appeals to all political parties to work together in the national interest and, if need be, pursue any outstanding issues through due process of the law and agreed mechanisms, including dialogue,” it said.
The statement was released a day after the National Electoral Board of Ethiopia announced official results from the May polls giving the ruling party an absolute majority in the 547-seat Parliament.
The opposition, which claims the election was stolen through massive fraud, immediately rejected the returns and said it would challenge them in court, accusing the electoral board of ignoring its allegations of vote rigging and irregularities.
Opposition complaints about such fraud led to protests in the capital after the release of preliminary results, which erupted in violence in June when police opened fire on crowds during demonstrations, killing at least 36 people.
The Addis Ababa-based AU called on Ethiopians to settle any unresolved election issues peacefully, saying that prospects for development in the impoverished Horn of Africa nation would suffer otherwise.
”The AU remains convinced that the process for the furtherance of development and enhancement of democracy on the continent can only be attained if peace, security and stability are promoted and upheld,” the statement said. — Sapa-AFP