HOUSE OF THE FEDERATION

Speaking on this occasion, Prime Minister Meles Zenawi said that December 8 is the day when Ethiopian Nations, Nationalities and Peoples pledge not only to promote their languages and cultures but also to take this opportunity as a grace and valuable resource so as to create a strong unity.

The Primer also indicated that the event would be an opportunity that Nations, Nationalities and peoples pledge to extricate the country from abyss of poverty and receiving alms using as a ladder the equality and democratic rights of the peoples which are guaranteed by the constitution.

The Prime Minister also emphasized that these peoples of Ethiopia with various cultures and history should create strong unity and join hands to build a country in which democracy and good governance prevail as well as is free from poverty and backwardness.

Speaker of the House of Federation Degefe Bula on his part said that Ethiopian unity, peace and stability cannot be separated from equality and freedom of Nations, Nationalities and peoples, and celebrating this grand and historic event cannot be deemed unnecessary rather too late.

The speaker also noted that the previous regimes that prevailed in this country for along period of time used to reckon Nations, Nationalities sand peoples’ unity in diversity as a liability and misfortune by understanding and propagating that freedom and equality of Nations, Nationalities and peoples were threats posed against the unity of the country.

The honorable speaker further noted that the oppressive regimes portrayed certain group of the society as first class citizens merely to prolong their ruling periods. He said that due to the fact that Nations, Nationalities and peoples across the country were fully aware of the oppressive regimes’ tactics of prolonging their ruling periods, they struggled in collaboration with the Ethiopia Peoples Revolutionary Democratic from (EPRDF) for the respect of their rights and to oust oppression and slavery and thereby registered a shining victory.

About 63 Nations, Nationalities and peoples have presented their respective traditional dances one after the other. Also some prominent individuals and organizations that made outstanding contribution for the respect of Nations, Nationalities and peoples cultures, for an all out development of the country and to make Ethiopian images known in the eyes of the international community have received honorary awards prepared by the House of Federation.

These prizewinners are the late Ato Kifle Wodajo, novelist Fikremarkose Desta, the Ethiopian Peoples Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF), Menshion for Menshion and Walta information center.

President Girma W/Giorgis , Prime Minister Meles Zenawi , Honorable Speakers of the House of Federation, Regional state presidents , Senior government officials , Ambassadors of various countries to Ethiopia , representatives of Nations, Nationalities and peoples, and other invited guests were in attendance.

A symposium and an exhibition were also held on December 7, 2006 in connection with Nations, Nationalities and peoples’ Day. While opening the symposium, president Girma Woldegiorgis said that Nations, Nationalities and Peoples of Ethiopia should consolidate their unity to strengthen the ongoing development activities and the democratization process in the country while maintaining the peace and security of the Nation. The president said that Ethiopia is the land in which about 80 Nations Nationalities and peoples live together for years in peace tolerance and mutual respect irrespective of their culture and language differences.

Deputy speaker of the house of Federation honorable Dr. Mehamed Serehaye on his part said that December 8 is the Day when Nations, Nationalities peoples registered a shining victory through their bitter struggle and sacrifice. The deputy speaker also noted that it is a historic event in which FDRE’s constitution was ratified and a new chapter to build peace, development and democracy is opened in the history of our country.

The deputy speaker further said that celebrating the day will be of a great help to keep up the gained victories and to build a country which is free from poverty as well as one, that consolidates unity based on mutual consent of Nations, Nationalities and Peoples.

At the symposium three research papers that are capable of assessing the ten years Federalism progress of Ethiopia were presented for discussion under the titles.

Ø Images of the New Ethiopia with reference to Nations, Nationalities and peoples,

Ø A transformation from Constitution to Constitutionalism, and

Ø Ethiopian Federalism- Reality or Imagination?

By:

· Professor Andereas Eshete, President of the Addis Ababa University

· Dr. Fasil Nahome, Special Advisor of the Prime Minister,and

· Dr. Hashim Tophik and Zerihun Teshome, in their respective order of occurrence.

On the other hand, Ambassador Mehamed Drir, Minister of Culture and Truism, opened the photograph Exhibition at the Conference Center. The exhibition reflects the images of Nations, Nationalities and Peoples of Ethiopia. Besides reflecting their cultures, traditions, and identities, it depicts the processes passed from drafting to endorsing the constitution.