Ethiopia Votes Amid Unrest, PM Abiy's Party Poised for Victory

Ethiopia held its parliamentary and regional elections on Monday, with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s Prosperity Party anticipated to achieve a landslide victory. Despite preparations involving over 50 million registered voters, disruptions were notable, particularly in the northern Tigray region, which was excluded due to “unfavourable conditions” following a protracted civil war and ongoing instability.

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, campaigning on his government’s economic performance, expressed optimism for Ethiopia’s future as he cast his vote. He highlighted the nation’s commitment to building its state and democratic system, envisioning the next five years as a period of “historic turning points.”

However, the elections were not without challenges. The African Union’s Election Observation Mission, led by former Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta, noted that voting proceeded smoothly overall. Nevertheless, Melatwork Hailu, head of the election board, confirmed that 143 polling stations remained closed due to security concerns, with voting interrupted in some areas of the Amhara and Oromiya regions.

The Prosperity Party, which secured a dominant position in the 2021 elections, has promoted economic growth and improved food security. This comes as Ethiopia, Africa’s second-most populous nation, projects a GDP growth exceeding 10% for 2026. Despite these economic assertions, the government faces significant opposition stemming from ethnic grievances and insurgencies in Oromiya and Amhara, two of the country’s largest regions.

Analysts observe that the Prosperity Party’s expected win is bolstered by a fragmented and weakened opposition, which has accused the federal government of suppressing their activities. While Prime Minister Abiy’s tenure began with liberalizations and a Nobel Peace Prize for ending conflict with Eritrea, his government has also faced criticism regarding human rights, which it denies, citing national security imperatives.

Results are anticipated by June 11, as the nation navigates both electoral processes and persistent security challenges. www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/ethiopian-election-expected-to-give-leader-abiy-s-party-a-landslide-win-5482176