In Ethiopia, prime minister Ahmed Abiy’s political party, the Oromo People Democratic Organisation (OPDO) has rebranded, changing its name and logo as it seeks to position itself in the changing political space in Oromia region and at the national level. At a delegates conference attended by over 6000 members of the party including the chair Abiy, and his vice and president of Oromia state, Lemma Megersa, OPDO changed its name to Oromo Democratic Party (ODP). Both Abiy and Megersa in their addresses to the delegates, urged political parties in the region to united and consolidate the ongoing political reforms. Abiy has pledged to deliver a democratic election in 2020, adding that he would organise a smooth transition if the ruling coalition loses the election. At the beginning of September, two major opposition parties, the Oromo Federalist Congress and OLF merged to ‘represent the interests of the people of Oromia’.

Source: Ethiopian News September 21, 2018 01:01 UTC