PRESS STATEMENT
UDJ Founding Congress opens a new chapter

         Unity for Democracy and Justice (UDJ) has successfully conducted a Founding Congress on June 18, 2008.

    UDJ is a new expression of the former CUDP, a party that had conducted a successful campaign and scored a significant victory in the 2005 election. However, due to some internal and external problems, it could not continue to operate as CUDP. It was forced to organize itself under a new name but with the spirit and fundamental objectives of CUDP.

    The Founding Congress was attended by over 300 delegates that came from 7 regions of the country and from Addis Ababa. It deliberated on major party matters and approved the Party’s Programme, Bylaw, Emblem and Anthem. It elected 60 permanent and 15 substitute members of the National Council--the next highest body--as well as 18 members of the National Executive Committee, including the Party’s Chairperson, four Deputy Chairpersons and General Secretary whose names are listed below.

1. W/t Birtukan Midekssa   Chairperson
2. Eng. Gizachew Shiferaw Deputy Chairperson, Head of Organizational Affairs
3. Dr. Yacob Hailemarian   Deputy Chairperson Head of Foreign Affairs
4. Dr. Hailu Araaya            Deputy Chairperson Head of Public Relations
5. Ato Temesgen Zewdie   Deputy Chairperson Head of Finance
6. Ato Asrat Tasie             General Secretary

    The next immediate task is fulfilling the requirements and applying to the National Electoral Board for registration. Along with this process, other major tasks will be building the Party’s organizational strength, drawing short and long term plans and mobilizing resources in readiness for the implementation of the Party’s Programme

    We strongly believe that the mode of peaceful struggle we have chosen will lead us to victory. We are determined to work hard to develop a culture of peaceful struggle that grows ever stronger and is capable of bringing fundamental changes in our country through inexorable legal and moral force. For this to happen, however, every citizen that wishes to see democracy flourish in Ethiopia has to become a determine soldier of the peaceful struggle.
     The way forward in the new chapter that has begun with a successful Founding Congress will be long and intricate. But we are confident that we will achieve our goal.

     We call upon all our compatriots at home and abroad to join hands and labour in unison to bring about a country that is free from hunger and conflict and where our children can live in peace and with dignity. We also call upon the International Community to partner with us in this common cause.

Unity for Democracy and Justice Party
Addis Ababa
June 19, 2008