By the Co-coordinating Committee of KSOUK

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The emergence and rapid development of Kinijit Support Organization in the UK can be viewed as part of the broad democratic movement in Ethiopia and among Diaspora Ethiopians for democracy, human rights and unity. This political dream that has catapulted KINIJIT FOR DEMOCRACY AND UNITY PARTY (KINIJIT) to be a leading political organization in the Ethiopian opposition was considered, according to some, a dream-come-true. That dream was a dream for all the good things that passed generations, Ethiopian democrats and the Ethiopian youth has fought for over the years. However, as the Front in poser, TPLF/EPRDF continues to put barriers against such a historic and momentous development the vast following of Kinijit continues to wage a determined struggle for equality, democracy and unity against the all odds and shall continue to do so until the Ethiopian people assert self determination of their own democratic destiny.

This historic struggle is partly unfolding by the emergence and development of a multitude of organizations that are started to be a part of and support the general effort of democratization and good governance in Ethiopia. One such organization is the KINIJIT SUPPORT ORGANISASTIN IN THE UNITED KINGDOM (KSOUK), which has now become a member of the wider European organistation of KINIJIT SUPPORT ORGANISATIN IN EUROPE (KSOE). This note is a brief outline on the emergence and development of KSOUK.

Phase 1: The emergence of KSOUK

KSOUK emerged just a few months before the May 15 2005 Election in Ethiopia. As it widely known in the UK and a few other places, out of the four organisations that first formed a United Front for the 2005 Election and later merged to form CUDP/Kinijit, it was only EUDP-MEDHIN that had a viable representation in the UK. As the election approached and the campaign started to gather momentum, the organized support group of EUDP-MEDHEN in the UK was given direction by the leadership of the party in Ethiopia to act as the support organization of KINIJIT in the UK. Hence the EUDP-MEDHIN support in the UK had to carry the broader responsibility of representing Kinijit in the UK.

KSOUK was competently represented by EUDP-MEDHIN Support Organization until the end of August 2005 (?) During this time, the Support Organization, led by the young and vibrant leaders of EUDP-MEDHIN, [the support group] had undertaken tasks that had helped the Support Organization to establish itself among the Diaspora community in the UK. The following is a sample of some of the activities that were organized by them then EUDP-MEDHIN Support Organization that helped to mobilize and wider support for Kinijit and the wider dissemination of its political ideals.

" Vigils, Rallies : Over 5 mass rallies and vigils organized at the prim minister's office (downing street) The June 10 2005 mass involvement at downing street was the biggest event. This was 2 daysafter the butcher

regime killed hundreds and arrested tens of thousands on 8th of June 2005, The Ethiopian historical black Wednesday. A mass demonstration has been organized on 8th of July 2005 at Gleneagles Hotel at the G8's summit, varieties of relevant timely and current explanatory official letters submitted to PM Tony Blair and foreign and common wealth offices. These and other activities were accomplished together with the task force coordinating committee.

" Meetings: 2 public meetings organized by the UEDP-Medhin SCU, the 1st one was held on 12 2005 at Lambeth Town hall and over £5000.00 raised, the 2nd one was held on 28th of June 2005 at Irish Centre. Dr Birhanu Nega and Dr Merara Gudina were gust speakers. Over £8000.00 rose on the day and equally with the UEDF support committee. " Fundraising: Over £8000.00 rose during varies public marches and equally divided with UEDF support committee. The UEDP-Medhin SCU sent £8000.00 to Kinijite (CUD) bank account Addis Ababa in August. " Lobbying: UEDP-Medhin SCU together with the task force has made different lobbying at the foreign and common wealth office, Prominent Individuals like Clap ham Christopher, Amnesty International, and many other prominent groups.

Phase 2: The formation of kinijit support committee

At the end of August 2005, realizing that KINIJIT has become a large organization it was decided that it's support group in UK must be expanded to accommodate the large number of eager and able individuals that were willing to help. As a result the kinijit support coordinating committee was formed. The new support co-coordinating committee attracted young Londoners and seasoned campaigners. The new comers that made up more than half of the committee members were individuals that had no previous affiliation to any one of the component kinijit organization.This gave the kinijit support committee a genuinely kinijit look by removing the tag that kinijit in UK meant EUDP-MEDHIN. In a truly kinijit spirit almost all of the active members of EUDP-MEDHIN that represented kinijit in UK supported the new change and went on working in the newly formed support committee. Like it predecessor the support co-coordinating committee had accomplished the following tasks. " Vigils January 6, 2006 under the banner "this time there is no Christmas in Ethiopia" " Marches. Three major marches were organized during this period. The largest one was one duped "the great march of Ethiopians in Europe". On Dec 9, 2005 Ethiopians from all over Europe converged in London made that day a memorable day in the history of Ethiopians in Europe " Fundraising. On November 20 2005 a major fundraising was organized. Over 35,000 Pounds were raised. This is a record for London " Lobbying.

Two major Mass lobbying at Westminster had taken place. Organised by the support committee hundreds of Ethiopians were involved to highlight the plight of the Ethiopian people to British Members of Parliament. This was the time Mrs. Louise Ellman the MP for became the voice of the voiceless Ethiopian and tabled an early day motion, motion 959, demanding the Ethiopian government to respect democratic and human rights of the people of Ethiopia and condemn the wanton mass killings and imprisonments taking place in the country. The mass lobby had contributed to make more than 90 MPs sign for motion 959.

Phase 3: The formation of a democratically elected kinijit support organization in UK. Kinijit-SOUK.

Currently kinijit support activities are led by the democratically elected Support coordinating committee of 14 individuals. The executive committee of six individuals elected out of the 14 is responsible for the day to day management of SOUK. In addition to the two main committees, there are a number of constitutionally approved sub committees designed to assist the support co-coordinating committee and the executive body.

Tasks accomplished since the formation of SOUK " Vigils " Marches " Fundraising " Lobbying