The Amhara Democratic Party (ADP), a member of the ruling coalition has been rebranded from the Amhara National Democratic Movement (ANDM). As part of its attempt to reflect a change in the nature of the party and appeal to a broader range of support in the region, ADP has also made leadership changes. Dese Tilahun is among the new breed of politicians who joined the party a few months ago and is in charge of the political section of the party. In a wide-ranging interview with Bekur, the weekly newspaper, and organ of the regional state, he reflects on the current situation and directions of the party. Here is an excerpt from the interview (translated into English by Arefaynie Fantahun.)

Can we say that ADP is really addressing the public’s questions?

I think we should take into consideration the process that has taken to bring about the reform and the magnitude of the tasks expected to be accomplished. There were priorities to be accorded in the field of peace and stability before moving to addressing other concrete problems of the public. At a country and party level, since we have worked to bring about reform, the political situation in the country has changed from what it was seven months ago and we are now at stage to question on how to focus on challenges and implement solutions. This by itself is the product of the reform.

What are the demands of the public? Has the party really analysed the problems?

This is clear. People raise range of issues, justice, equality, democracy, and a fair share of national wealth. People have not only been focusing on the regional issues but also on national agenda. There were also questions on the very nature of the party itself, its mandate and its mission. In the past, the faith of the masses in the party has been eroded. Thus, during the 12th organizational congress of the party (held on the end of September 2018), those issues had been discussed, debated, becoming central in driving the party’s project. Our party embrace major ideological positions and causes. This includes determining the sources of anger, frustration of people in Amhara region, ensuring for adequate access to state resources, infrastructures to rural producers, redressing mistreatment and prejudices against the Amhara people living in other regions, and making sure that the people’s benefits and rights are not ignored. If we look at those directions and decisions, that shows the change of the party.

But there are protests in many villages demanding for change of local governance. What do you make of that?

Yes, that is true. After discussing the matter at the level of our front, we have set up mobilization plan at regional level, we have discussed the matter with the leadership. One issue that stood out during the discussion was the need to strengthen the leadership structure across the board. This has been given the proper direction. Strengthening the structure that is responsive to the reform, filling vacant places with leaders, and moving to address the concerns problems of the public. These are our goals. But we can’t say all this has been implemented, zones and woredas are not moving at the same speed; one is preceding the other. But overall leadership orientation is not achieved by replacing the old administration one by one. This is not feasible. If there are elements who prove stumbling block to the reform effort, we will make sure to get them out of the way. We hear demands from some villages and towns that they want a replacement of entire admin units but this is not a reasonable demand. We have been able to observe that when attempts are made to replace the old leadership, people who could prove of real help in moving the reform along inappropriately pushed out. We don’t believe in the entire restructuring of the leadership.

Main Image: Dese Tilahun, photo courtesy of Bekur newspaper

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