May 15^th a Historic Day for Ethiopians and Ginbot 7

Press Release
May 15^th 2011

Today is May 15^th 2011, the 6^th anniversary of one of the most promising day in our struggle for freedom and democracy. On this day in 2005, the Ethiopian people voted out of office the corrupt and tyrannical regime of Meles Zenawi. Yet, in the most brazen act of election fraud in the 21st century, Zenawi overturned the will of the Ethiopian people - basically grabbed power in a coup after losing the election - and promptly put the nation under “martial law.” that’s still in effect to this day.

Since that ill-fated election, the demand of the Ethiopian people for peace, justice, respect for the rule of law and civil liberties, and a democratic government that is representative of all people remains unabated.

May 15, is remembered as a day of grief over the deferred dreams for a democratic Ethiopia. It is also celebrated as a hopeful day for the future. It’s a day that we should remember with a moment of silence and renew our commitment to complete the struggle for democracy that our brothers and sisters died for.

It was on this historic day, three years ago, that Ginbot 7, the Movement for Justice, Freedom and Democracy was born to fulfill the quest for a democratic Ethiopia and to finish the long march from dictatorship to democracy.

Over the last three years, the journey has been long, the challenges too many and the accomplishments note worthy. As Ginbot 7 celebrates its third anniversary our movement remains very focused on the future with renewed commitment to its supporters and the people of Ethiopia to bring an end to the tyrannical regime of Meles Zenawi.

Ginbot 7 believes that the pro-democracy opposition, the Ethiopian people and, of course, the criminal regime in Addis Ababa must have learned a valuable lesson from the recent two successful popular uprisings in Tunisia and Egypt. Objective conditions on the ground and current political developments in the country clearly indicate that the Ethiopian people are ready for a North African type revolution while Zenawi and his cronies are working hard to avoid the inevitable.

In fact, in a desperate move to terrorize the people, the regime in Addis Ababa is mass arresting, torturing and dehumanizing innocent citizens in Oromia, the Ogaden region and in other parts of the country.

Ginbot 7, believes that, it is time, for all Ethiopian stake holders to say enough is enough and to cooperate and collaborate together to bring about regime change in Ethiopia.

Ginbot 7 takes the opportunity, on its 3^rd anniversary, to reaffirm its unwavering commitment and dedication to fulfill its own share of responsibility in building consensus among various oppositions.

Ginbot 7, once again would like to emphasize the urgency of working together to bring an end to the 20 year brutal dictatorship of Meles Zenawi. A deeply traumatized and bleeding nation is calling on all of us. Ginbot 7 strongly believes a collective, affirmative and historic response must come from all of us.

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