The Ethiopian Social Democratic Party (ESDP) Central Council elected Dr. Rachel Bafe as its Chairperson in an emergency meeting held on August 3, 2017. The party's Central Council announced this in a statement issued yesterday.

The statement also indicated that four executive members had been removed from their positions; it was decided by a majority vote that they should continue as members.

He called on political parties to join forces, either in coalition or in front, with political parties that share his party's program and ideology.

He also called on the government to prioritize and move forward with a ceasefire agreement with the militants separately, as needed.