Mesfin Nemera, Oppostion MP(By Bruck Shewareged- The Reporter)
The disciplinary committee of the House of Peoples' Representatives on Thursday suspended Mesfin Nemera from participating in the next 16 ordinary sessions of parliament.
After concluding a debate on other issues, Houses Speaker Teshome Toga announced to members on Thursday that following a display of in-disciplinary conduct during the 19th ordinary session of the House, the disciplinary committee was considering what kind of measures were to be taken against Mesfin Nemera.
During the 19th ordinary session, Mesfin was asking to be given a chance to speak, which the Speaker denied, leading to an outburst by Mesfin.
He was speaking very loudly that day despite repeated warnings from the Speaker to keep quiet.
House Speaker Teshome told MPs that Mesfin's conduct was in gross violation of the code of conduct for parliamentarians and must not be ignored.
He pointed out that every violator of the code of conduct must be held accountable, and the disciplinary committee, which was weighing its options, has finally decided to bar Mesfin from attending 16 ordinary sessions.
Mesfin will not most likely attend a single session for the rest of the year. Parliament will be closed from the and of June to the beginning of November.
Starting on Monday, parliament will be in recess for a month, and will reconvene around March 10 next month.
Mesfin is known for becoming temperamental during formal events to the discomfiture of his colleagues in his former party.
Last year, when leaders of the Oromo Federalist Democratic Movement (OFDM) were giving a press conference announcing the party's withdrawal from the by elections which were held in April 2008, Mesfain exploded and told journalist of his disapproval of the party's decision even though he was not assigned to make press statements on that day.
Later, disagreements rose and he announced that he resigned from the party although he was allegedly sacked.
Asked to comment on Mesfin's suspension from parliament, OFDM chairman Bulcha Demeksa said that his has no comment.
According to the House Speaker, Mesfin admitted what he has done, but that he felt no remorse for his actions.
It is unlikely that the House disciplinary committee will lift the ban on Mesfin because he didn't solicit clemency.
