Polls open in Ethiopia, but not everyone can vote
Summary
Ethiopia is holding a general election while conflict continues in some parts of the country, especially in the northern region of Tigray, where people cannot vote. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s party, the Prosperity Party, is expected to win most seats in parliament, even though there are concerns about the fairness and freedom of the election.Key Facts
- Elections opened in Ethiopia, but people in Tigray, a region affected by recent civil war, cannot vote.
- This is Ethiopia’s seventh election since the military regime ended in 1991.
- The Prime Minister, Abiy Ahmed, is not directly elected; voters choose parliament members, and the winning party forms the government.
- Abiy came to power in 2018 and replaced the former ruling coalition (EPRDF) with his Prosperity Party.
- Critics say the election is less competitive than before and accuse the government of suppressing opposition and controlling the media.
- Abiy won the 2019 Nobel Peace Prize for ending a long conflict with Eritrea but has since faced criticism for human rights issues.
- Press freedom in Ethiopia has declined, with journalists facing arrests and restrictions.
- Economic reforms under Abiy have support from international organizations, but inflation and displacement issues remain.
Read the Full Article
This is a fact-based summary from The Actual News. Click below to read the complete story directly from the original source.