Ethiopia's Election: Boycotts, Conflict, and Media Restrictions Shape Outcome

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s Prosperity Party has overwhelmingly won the country’s recent parliamentary elections, securing a substantial majority of the seats for which results were announced. The national election board released the figures, showing Ahmed’s party captured 438 seats, well over the 274 needed to form a government.

This victory was largely anticipated, given a fragmented opposition and the ruling party’s efforts to consolidate power. The Prosperity Party, formed in 2019, replaced a long-standing multi-party coalition. Its candidates campaigned on platforms of improved food security and robust economic growth, with official forecasts predicting an economic expansion exceeding 10 percent.

However, the electoral landscape was significantly shaped by widespread disruptions. Voting was marred by boycotts and the complete absence of elections in the northern Tigray region, where organizers cited the “unfavorable conditions” following a devastating two-year civil war and persistent political unrest. Furthermore, conflicts in two of Ethiopia’s largest regions, Oromiya and Amhara, also prevented voting in numerous constituencies.

In Oromiya, clashes between government forces and the Oromo Liberation Army have resulted in numerous casualties. Meanwhile, the Amhara region has seen the Fano militia gain control of significant territory, leading to the cancellation of votes in at least eight constituencies.

Opposition parties have leveled accusations against the federal government, alleging that leaders have been arrested and legal obstacles have hindered their political activities. These claims have been refuted by the government. Adding to the complexity, independent reporting from within Ethiopia has been curtailed, with Reuters, for instance, facing difficulties in renewing accreditation for its journalists, impacting the media’s ability to cover the situation freely.

Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)