A group of opposition parties, including the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) and the Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF), proposed the extension of the government’s executive body authority for a year, in light of the constitutional crisis over the cancellation of the election because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

At a joint statement, the seven opposition parties have expressed consent that the executive body continues to exercise its administrative function for a year. However, the government cannot promulgate a new law or repeal existing ones, OLF public relations chief Kejela Merdasa told DW Amharic. Though the constitution does not have provision for such an eventuality as happened in the case of a pandemic, it would certainly be better to violate it through the consent of parties than on an individual party, Kejela said. Constitutional interpretation, which is proposed by the government, is not the legitimate way out of the impasse, he said.

The situation requires the application of the doctrine of necessity, based on the experience of other countries and the parties are calling for the establishment of a monitoring council involving all opposition members that monitor key sectors such as foreign affairs, intelligence bureau, federal army, and national security, according to the public relations chief.

Legislators have recently approved a bill that proposes seeking a constitutional interpretation from the House of Federation on how to resolve the elections conundrum, among other three options, dissolving the parliament, declaring a state of emergency, constitutional amendment.

While admitting it might be hard to come up with something that would satisfy all parties, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed last week said his government is committed to advance a solution that is consistent with the framework of the law and the constitutional system. He warned his government has zero-tolerance for any group that is determined to grab power through the illegitimate way.

Image: The chairman of the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) Dawud Ibssa