In Ethiopia, the Electoral Council announced Wednesday that the next legislative elections could be held on August 16. A hypothetical date, warns the Council, which would however dedicate the first elections under the reign of the leader Abiy Ahmed, subjected to numerous internal pressures.
For several months, the Ethiopian Prime Minister has been calling for the rapid holding of the elections. If we were to stick to its calendar, these legislative elections would have been held in May or June. And this, despite the reluctance of opponents of Abiy Ahmed and even of the Electoral Council who fear that the violence noted in recent months in the country will resurface and impinge on the process.
Indeed, although hailed for his unprecedented reforms both politically and economically in the country, Abiy Ahmed must tackle a growing opposition head-on, often even in his own ranks. The most emblematic is undoubtedly that of activist Jawar Mohamed, founder of the opposition media Oromia Media Network (OMN). Former ally of the Ethiopian Prime Minister, Mr. Mohamed now describes the latter as « dictator » and intends to challenge him during the next legislative elections. Another obstacle is the latent ethnic tensions which result in dozens of deaths at the slightest spark.
But for Abiy Ahmed, time is running out. The one who obtained international recognition for his audacity, notably with a Nobel Peace Prize in October, now hopes to consolidate his power in his own country and thus pursue his reforms which have earned him as much admiration as criticism.
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