Ethiopia: Information on the component groups of the Coalition of Ethiopian Democratic Forces (COEDF) in Washington, DC, and their political leanings
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 February 1995 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | ETH19579.E |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Ethiopia: Information on the component groups of the Coalition of Ethiopian Democratic Forces (COEDF) in Washington, DC, and their political leanings, 1 February 1995, ETH19579.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6aca730.html [accessed 2 June 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
According to an article entitled Ethiopia The Pitfalls of Ethnic Federalism and published in the Africa Quarterly of April 1994, the Coalition of Ethiopian Democratic Forces (COEDF) was formed in 1991 when the Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Party (EPRP) and the All-Ethiopian Socialist Movement (Meison) merged to put up a united front against the present government of the Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (Africa Quarterly apr. 1994, 152). The source further states that COEDF was also joined by the Ethiopian Democratic Union (EDU); the Ethiopian People's Democratic Alliance (EPDA); and the Tigray People's Democratic Movement (TPDM). However, the three latter groups withdrew from COEDF and joined the EPDRF government reportedly as a result of "differences with both the EPRP and Meison over issues concerning the make-up and direction of Ethiopia's post-Mengistu government" (ibid.). COEDF is committed to peace, national unity, and civil liberty (ibid., 168), and favours the preservation of Ethiopia as a united political entity (ibid., 153). For additional information on COEDF, please refer to the attached document.
This response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.
Reference
Africa Quarterly [New Delhi]. April 1994. Vol. 34, No. 2. Walle Engedayehu. "Ethiopia: The Pitfalls of Ethnic Federalism."
Attachment
Africa Quarterly [New Delhi]. April 1994. Vol. 34, No. 2. Walle Engedayehu. "Ethiopia: The Pitfalls of Ethnic Federalism," pp. 149-191.
