Boro Democratic Party Executive Member Arrested Amid Legislative Controversy

Yohannes Tessema, an executive member of the Boro Democratic Party, has been arrested amid opposition to controversial legislative changes in the Benishangul Gumuz region. His arrest is linked to his plans for legal recourse against these amendments, which increased regional council seats significantly. The BDP claims that the changes violate constitutional provisions.

Yohannes Tessema, an executive member of the Boro Democratic Party (BDP) and Member of Parliament from the Benishangul Gumuz region, has been arrested by regional security forces. This arrest occurs amid ongoing opposition to recent legislative amendments that have generated significant controversy within the region.

According to Mr. Haile Embiyale, a central committee member of the BDP, Yohannes was taken into custody on March 9, as he was preparing to travel to Addis Ababa. His intended visit was aimed at filing complaints with the House of Federation regarding legislative changes that increased the number of seats in the regional council from 99 to 165.

Mr. Haile revealed to Ethiopian Media Services (EMS) that the party has confirmed Yohannes is currently detained at the district two police station in Assosa town. As of this report, he has yet to be presented before a court, and the arrest is believed to be connected to his opposition against a regional parliament motion and his intention to appeal these changes through the constitutional interpretation court.

The controversial legislative modifications have caused considerable concern for the Boro Democratic Party, which claims that the amendments were passed unconstitutionally. They argue that increasing the council seats and altering electoral districts disregards population demographics, as specified in Article 54 (3) of the Ethiopian Constitution. Moreover, the party maintains that the regional council lacks the jurisdiction to enact changes regarding general elections, especially as constitutional amendments fall under the purview of the National Dialogue Commission.

The ruling Prosperity Party, which asserts a membership of over 15 million, has yet to respond to Yohannes’ arrest or the accusations made by the Boro Democratic Party. In contrast, the regional government has accused the opposition of efforts aimed at destabilizing the region, which has recently experienced severe security crises, including the tragic massacre of ethnic Amharas.

In conclusion, the arrest of Yohannes Tessema underscores the tensions surrounding the recent legislative changes implemented in the Benishangul Gumuz region. The Boro Democratic Party’s objections highlight significant concerns regarding constitutional compliance and the implications for political representation. The ongoing unrest and severe security crises further complicate the political landscape, warranting continued scrutiny from both local and international observers.

Original Source: borkena.com