May 20, 2005

Ambassadors' Donor Group Statement on the Post-Election Period

The Ambassadors Donors’ Group commends the commitment of Ethiopians to express their political choices at the polls, evidenced by high voter turnout. The Ambassadors Donors’ Group calls upon all voters and political parties to be calm and patient as the tabulation process is underway. We ask all parties to respect the role of the National Election Board in counting and declaring the results. We ask all political leaders to engage in constructive dialogue.

The Ambassadors Donors’ Group calls upon all parties, the government, and the National Election Board to maintain integrity in the vote tabulation process, and to respect the expressed will of the people at the ballot box. Complaints and objections must be pursued peacefully through the legally established mechanisms.

The Ambassadors Donors’ Group will continue to engage all sides in order to encourage the consolidation of democracy in Ethiopia through these historic times.

This statement is endorsed by:

Austria
Belgium
Bulgaria
Czech Republic
Denmark
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Ireland
Italy
The Netherlands
Norway
Poland
Portugal
Romania
Spain
Sweden
Turkey
United Kingdom
United States