Africa-Press – Ethiopia. Ethiopia is set to hold general elections on June 1, amid expectations that Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and the ruling Prosperity Party will remain in power, in a political landscape described by media reports as one of the least competitive in the country’s modern history.
Abiy Ahmed initially received international praise at the start of his tenure for actions including improving civil liberties and signing a peace agreement with Eritrea. However, his government has faced increasing criticism for its crackdown on opposition, journalists, and human rights organizations, coinciding with ongoing armed conflicts in several regions.
The upcoming elections are taking place at a time when the country is experiencing persistent security tensions, particularly in the Amhara and Oromia regions, while the repercussions of the previous conflict in Tigray continue to affect the national scene. Additionally, there is a lack of strong political competition capable of threatening the ruling party’s position in the upcoming election.
Furthermore, Abiy Ahmed’s government has focused in recent years on liberalizing sectors of the economy and attracting foreign investments, announcing expectations of achieving high growth this year. However, Ethiopia’s heavy reliance on oil imports has made it vulnerable to the impacts of rising energy prices and disruptions related to the war in Iran, increasing pressure on the African nation ahead of the polls.
