It was hoped that the umbrella group would maintain its speed in spreading its organizational presence across the country. Time is the essence and the opposition is left with about 15 months only before the upcoming elections to set up a solid organizational structure and undertake a formidable task of reaching the Ethiopian people through the thick levels of repression and red tape. At least the general outlines must be sketched to give point and purpose to its polity. Opposition parties that only base their strategies on the "failure" of government, that do not develop any of their own initiatives, do not guide and do not demonstrate the virtue of supporting the right things are as much to blame for bad governance as the ruling party. Such observation is no truer any where in the world than it is in Ethiopia.

Where the whole political process is mired by a desperate search for a political order whose image like mirage recedes more rapidly, the more eagerly it is approached. Perhaps the most significant of these is the difficulty UEDF representatives have in getting their messages across to Ethiopians. The following points are our suggestions, which we think would help strengthen the arm and allow fresh viewpoints and more independent voices into the political process which we believe appears to hold considerable promises

Public forums

The opposition should hold public forums and town hall meetings inside Ethiopia for its supporters and to the public at large and start educating and sensitizing the populace about the important issues the country currently faces and about democratization and the process of free elections. The opposition should particularly educate the public about the threat the country currently faces surrounding its sovereignty and territorial integrity, and the ramifications of being landlocked as well as the unEthiopiawinet and evil nature of ethnic politics. An informed and educated public is the best ally for a fair and free election. These forums would also help as confidence building mechanisms between the public and the opposition. It could also help as a bridge in inter-party dialogue and in the process of unification among the parties in bringing about a formidable and large national opposition. The public forums being created by the various support groups emerging in the West are a welcome development and should be encouraged to become full fledged forums, not only to gather support for the opposition, but also should facilitate reconciliation among the Diaspora.

Civic Societies

Civic societies play an important role in building democracy. In fact history shows that, the countries which succeeded at democratization, has had a strong civil society, which plays the role of checks and balances, organizes grass roots movements and nourishes the democratic movement by becoming the reservoir of thought, among other things. The opposition should struggle for the creation of civil societies, such as workers union of the different industries as well as the union of different professions, such as the gallant teachers union, which has demonstrated heroic resolve in the face of relentless onslaught by the current repressive regime. The opposition should also encourage the creation of think-thank groups.

The Wisdom of the Elders

Some where in the process of creating UEDF, the setting up of a sort of a committee or a body of elders was contemplated, which many Ethiopians thought was a good idea, but nonetheless was dropped at a later stage. In the absence of well- developed democratic institutions, we thought the elders, as wise men would serve as advisors and facilitators and when deemed necessary arbitrators in inter-party dispute or misunderstandings. We believe they posses better knowledge of our country’s history and culture, are endowed with expertise and skill and they have the wisdom of viewing things as independently as possible. Relatively speaking, they harbor no or little political ambitions, and they would have above every thing else the country’s interest. We hear that some of the parties engaged in unification negotiations are finding it now rather cumbersome and time consuming. The elders as neutral partners could have helped in narrowing the differences and in devising ways and means of solving them. The opposition should re-consider creating this body.

Stick to the Border Issue

The opposition should keep the border issue at the top of its agenda. We have to keep in mind that Meles Zenawi supported by his B’Aden cronies is waiting for the right moment to sign our territories off to Eritrea. Meles is a repeat offender and an opportunity disease Ethiopia is suffering from. He will strike every time the country is vulnerable and hit at its weakest point. His resent dispatch of Ethiopian troops to harass the Afar people and liquidate their vanguard organization ARDUF, and his wish to start the border demarcation in our Afar territory is consistent with his incessant cry “Asab is Eritrean”. He wants to close the Red sea Afar issue permanently in Eritrea’s favor. The opposition should lead the Ethiopian people confronting the enemy within. It should be able to educate the Ethiopian people in a plain language, the dangerous policy of Meles and his B’Aden supporters are advancing to land lock Ethiopia permanently and dismember it further by auctioning away its territories. It is unthinkable that Meles would win a free and fair election carrying his pro-Eritrean bag. On the other hand, if the opposition succeeds in organizing the Ethiopian people it will be equally unlikely for Meles to remain in power through a rigged election, like the previous ones.

We can only hope that someday the more enlightened Ethiopians will rise up and claim their government, only than can we press forward on the path to peace and democracy.