Afar is one of the nations with a long and rich traditions in the Horn of Africa. The Afar has a geographically continues area and has a single common mother tongue, which belongs to the eastern Cush*tic group of languages. The Afar traditional structure shares common features largely supported by a fiima (age group) system. The customary law secures cohesiveness, continuity and harmony within the
traditional system at large. The Afar people make up about 2 million out of the present 70 million population of Ethiopia. Their economic patterns show variety where pastoralism remains as the mainstay. Our ancestors defended their land, with determination and uncompromising spirit, from foreign and domestic intruders to ascertain their continued unity and sovereignty. Unfortunately, since the beginning of the 19th century, due to continued oppression and subjugation by successive Ethiopian regimes, the Afars have been unable to control their destiny. However, they continued to resist oppression and intensify struggle to determine their right for self-determination. Their aspiration was for self-rule and to build a democratic Ethiopia, based on respecting the rights of nations and nationalities in the country. Hence, the highly centralized totalitarian successive regimes of Ethiopia failed to pay attention to their quest as an equal partner in the making of Ethiopia; failed to implement economic development that could left up the Afars from chronic economic degradation and good governance that guarantees equal treatment, independent judiciary and security. Past political attempts to settle disputes with Ethiopian regimes have failed to bear the results Afars hoped and aspired for. Too many lives have been sacrificed by gallant Afars who envisage that their people ultimately will live in peace and prosperity side by side with all other nations and nationalities of Ethiopia. Tenth of thousands of Afars shed their blood and gave their precious life to fight against oppression perpetuated by totalitarian repressive successive regimes of Ethiopia to achieve justice, equality and liberty. Against these backgrounds, it become necessary to establish an Afar political party that shall work towards realizing the aspiration of the Afar people and live in peace and harmony with other nations and nationalities of Ethiopia. The Afar People’s Party (APP) is the outcomes of the condition of Ethiopia in general and that of the Afar in particular. The Party believes that stability and security can only be achieved when Afars work hand in hand with other nationalities and nations within Ethiopia on equal footing and not as a subordinate. APP works towards realizing a proportional power sharing in the federal arrangement. Any political arrangement with other political parties must guarantee to benefit the Afar people on equal terms. The APP resolutely works hard to participate in political system and voice their concerns towards realization of ideas that will benefit the Afar people. The Party shall work towards improving the unacceptable economic, social, political and environmental problems the Afar people are faced with. It envisages the political, economic and social development should include helping and improving the lives of our pastoralist majority. The Party shall establish policies that will secure viable political, economic and social development where the Afar communal property rights are guaranteed. APP shall undertake measures to achieve justice, liberty, freedom of speech and the right to be heard. The Party shall work towards helping the Afar Pastoralist are properly secured and cared for
