Unity for Democracy and Justice

The Unity for Democracy and Justice is an Ethiopian political party established on 20 June 2008 to contest the 2010 elections. It is mostly based on the parties which constituted the Coalition for Unity and Democracy. The party's leader is Birtukan Midekssa. It is a major component in the eight-party Medrek coalition, which was the largest opposition in the 2010 election.

The Unity for Democracy and Justice Party (UDJP), commonly known as Andenet, (Amharic for Unity) is an Ethiopian national opposition political party established by former leaders and members of CUD (Coalition for Unity and Democracy) Party. Andenet is a short form of UDJP's Amharic name (Andenet ledemocracy ena lefitih). Having been formed by a significant number of former CUD leaders and members as well as adopting CUD's manifesto and bylaws, UDJP is arguably considered as a direct descendant of CUD. With its broad official presence in Ethiopia and abroad, UDJP is arguably considered to be the strongest political opposition party that can challenge the incumbent EPRDF party if there is to be free and fair Ethiopian election in the upcoming 2010. UDJP is chaired by Birtukan Midekssa. Dr. Yakob Hailemariam is its vice chairman who were both the prominent CUD leaders who have been detained and sentenced life in prison and later controversially "pardoned" by the Ethiopian government. Birtukan Midekssa is now imprisoned for the reason that she publicly challenged the conditions and terms of their release from prison, which "she trespassed the law (as per Ethiopian prime minister Meles Zenawi)". These move by Ethiopian government was considered by many and Ethiopian political opposition parties as a way forward to block fair and free election and democratic process by Ethiopian government.

UDJP was formed with 42 parliament members and the representatives of former CUD leaders and members on June 17, 2008. Support organizations abroad as well as members representing woredas in Ethiopia were also in attendance. This meeting was supposed to be held at imperial hotel on June 13, 2008 had it not been postponed due to government permit problems. The meeting was later held in the compound of the party in a tent. Out of 105 nominated representatives, 60 permanent and 15 temporary central committee members were elected after 6 hours of discussion. The same meeting elected the party's executives (18 out of which 6 are top executives) as

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