Five more years of Meles for Ethiopia. The ruling Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front has decided Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, who has been in power for the past 18 years, must stay and run for re-election to lead the nation for another five years.

Government critics say the EPRDF’s decision is more proof of a desire to continue a political monopoly. Party supporters argue that the decision is good and five more years of Meles and the EPRDF will benefit the country.

In VOA Amharic’s weekly “eset-ageba” (Crossfire), Shashu Habtu defends the EPRDF. She says the country is on the right track to a promising future. Yared Tibebu on the other hand argues the absence of democratic process in the EPRDF lead Ethiopia. He claims the ruling party has become more and more repressive.

The two debate the upcoming election, Ethiopia’s current state of political affairs and its future prospects. “Eset-ageba” is moderated by Alula Kebede. Click on the links on the side to listen to the three parts debate.