Ethiopian Prime Ministers Party Wins Parliamentary Election with Landslide Victory

Ethiopia’s Prosperity Party Secures Parliamentary Majority

In the latest parliamentary elections, Ethiopia’s Prosperity Party has secured a majority of seats, with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed set to maintain his position. The party’s candidates campaigned on the government’s economic record and food security improvements.

Abiy was appointed as prime minister in 2018 following mass protests against the EPRDF coalition. He established the Prosperity Party in 2019 and won over 90% of available seats in the previous parliamentary elections in 2021. The Nobel Peace Prize winner received international recognition for his efforts to improve human rights, including freeing journalists and activists.

However, critics argue that the government has reversed some of these gains in recent years. Abiy’s opponents also accuse him of detaining journalists and shutting down civil society groups. Ethiopia has experienced violent unrest in several regions, including Oromia and Amhara, since 2023. A civil war in Tigray from 2020-2022 resulted in hundreds of thousands of deaths.

A peace deal was reached in 2022 to end the conflict, but tensions have risen again as the main political party in Tigray reasserted control over the region’s administration. The elections were not held in Tigray due to “unfavourable conditions.” Abiy’s government projects an economic growth rate of over 10% by 2026.

Analysts warn that renewed conflicts are possible, citing the recent developments in Tigray and other regions.

Source: Al Jazeera