THE COUNCIL OF  ELDERS :

^{The Council of Elders is a group well-meaning and prominent Ethiopians whose tireless efforts resulted in securing the release of CUD (Coalition for Unity and Democracy) leaders and other political prisoners in the recent past. The Council consists of individuals assembled together from the different ethnic and religious and professional background and are reflective of the Ethiopian society. They are comprised of persons such as the famous athlete, Hail Gebreselassie, a respected lawyer, a woman and a former Derg prisoner, doctors, professors, veteran journalists, former parliamentarians, former ambassadors etc. A total of 25 persons in the council were organized under the leadership of the venerated former Harvard University Professor, Dr. Ephraim Isaac.}

Coalition of Ethiopian Elders name list:

Professor Ephraim Isaac, Pastor Daniel GebreSelassie ,      Memhir Dimitros Woldu, Dejazmach Zewde GebreSelassie, Fitawrari Amede Lema,

Shaleka Haile Gebreselassie, Ambassador Bekele Endeshaw, Ambassador ZewdeUtaro, Ambassador Muse Hailu, General Solomon Beyene, Ato Tamiru Wondemagegn, Ato Tadesse Gurumu, Ato Mamo Wudneh, Dr. Haileselassie Belay, Dr.Ahmed Moen, Dr. Tilahun Beyene , Liqetiguhan Astatke Abate,W/ro Tsion Andom, Dr. Haile Woldemichael, Dr. Dawit Zewde, Dr. Yakob Bekele, W/ro Rahel Mekuria, Engineer Woldeliul Kassa, Ato Fiseha Asres, Ato Amha Wolde

In addition to the release of CUD political leaders, the Council has facilitated the release of more political prisoners by working quietly over the past several months. They hope to continue the noble effort and make a positive difference in the Ethiopian society.

Before the involvement of the Elders, there was a deadlock that no amount of outside pressure seemed to be able to resolve. Despite widespread pressure from western donors and human rights groups, the government of Ethiopia was not interested to negotiate or compromise. It war feared that the cycle of retaliatory violence by citizens who would probably rise up against injustice and the corresponding counter measures by the government would probably have worsened the situation.  However, the effective work of the Elders using the dose of traditional peacemaking methods and balanced approach, resulted in winning the release of the CUD leaders and others.. The life sentences that had been imposed on the prisoners could have escalated the crisis had it not been for the involvement of the Elders.  For that we are indeed very thankful.

The Council of Elders has created an opportunity and the environment by providing a forum to resolve complex problems through dialogue and negotiation. They have re-introduced our traditional method of conflict resolution and have reminded us of the values of tolerance, forgiveness and reconciliation. They have opened up a renewed path for understanding and healing process to start and for the Ethiopian people to once again hope for a better future.

SEED salutes The Elders (Shimagles); in acknowledgement of their outstanding work that resulted in the release of the major political prisoners of our time, in support of their continued efforts to secure the release of all political prisoners in our homeland, in appreciation for having planted the seeds of tolerance, understanding and reconciliation among our people and for posterity, in recognition of their continued struggle to bring about peaceful national dialogue with measured sense of responsibility, integrity and determination.