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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Ex-Ethiopia leader swaps parties | Ex-Ethiopia leader swaps parties |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Ethiopia's former President Negasso Gidada has joined an opposition party, as the country builds up to an election scheduled for next May. | Ethiopia's former President Negasso Gidada has joined an opposition party, as the country builds up to an election scheduled for next May. |
| Mr Negasso, in power between 1995 and 2001, said he had joined the Unity for Democracy and Justice Party (UDJ) to try to unite Ethiopia. | Mr Negasso, in power between 1995 and 2001, said he had joined the Unity for Democracy and Justice Party (UDJ) to try to unite Ethiopia. |
| Analysts say his defection and that of ex-Defence Minister Seye Abraha are likely to boost the UDJ's popularity. | Analysts say his defection and that of ex-Defence Minister Seye Abraha are likely to boost the UDJ's popularity. |
| Its leader is in jail after protests following the last election in 2005. | |
| Birtukan Medeksa was arrested after violence broke out when opposition parties organised protests, citing election fraud. | |
| Some rights groups have accused Prime Minister Meles Zenawi of trying to ensure election victory by suppressing opposition - allegations he denies. | Some rights groups have accused Prime Minister Meles Zenawi of trying to ensure election victory by suppressing opposition - allegations he denies. |
| Pardons | Pardons |
| The BBC's Uduak Amimo in Addis Ababa says the two defections are a significant symbol of opposition to the government. | The BBC's Uduak Amimo in Addis Ababa says the two defections are a significant symbol of opposition to the government. |
| But she says the UDJ and its allies are unlikely to overhaul the governing party in next year's election. | But she says the UDJ and its allies are unlikely to overhaul the governing party in next year's election. |
| Mr Negasso, whose role as president was largely symbolic, is said to be a popular politician. | Mr Negasso, whose role as president was largely symbolic, is said to be a popular politician. |
| He told Reuters news agency: "Our joining the UDJ sends a signal that we have to work hard for the unity of the country and the Ethiopian people." | He told Reuters news agency: "Our joining the UDJ sends a signal that we have to work hard for the unity of the country and the Ethiopian people." |
| Some 200 people were killed after security forces opened fire during the protests which followed the 2005 elections. | Some 200 people were killed after security forces opened fire during the protests which followed the 2005 elections. |
| More than 100 opposition leaders, activists and journalists were convicted and jailed but most have since been pardoned. | More than 100 opposition leaders, activists and journalists were convicted and jailed but most have since been pardoned. |
| Ms Birtukan, 36, was freed but then re-arrested and sentenced to life in prison after criticising the terms of the amnesty. | Ms Birtukan, 36, was freed but then re-arrested and sentenced to life in prison after criticising the terms of the amnesty. |
| Analysts say the detentions have seriously weakened the opposition. | Analysts say the detentions have seriously weakened the opposition. |
| The UDJ has been stitched together from several different formations. | The UDJ has been stitched together from several different formations. |