, or gov- ernment services if they did not turn out for the party. The most charismatic opposition figure, the leader of the Unity and Justice Party, Birtukan Mideksa, re- mained in prison during the election, in which opposi- tion candidates took only two seats.” The possible motivations for retrograde electoral

or gov- ernment services if they did not turn out for the party. The most charismatic opposition figure, the leader of the Unity and Justice Party, Birtukan Mideksa, re- mained in prison during the election, in which opposi- tion candidates took only two seats 22 The possible motivations for retrograde electoral

ustice party. Melaku was among the opposition leaders convicted of treason and later pardoned following the 2005 election. He now joins UDJ leader Birtukan Mideksa, who was re-arrested earlier this year and ordered to serve out her life sentence. Berhanu Nega says he had been told the accused included a cousin