Opposition groups denounce the vote as a “sham election” amid allegations of irregularities and restricted competition Addis Ababa — Ethiopia’s National Electoral Board (NEBE) has officially declared Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s ruling Prosperity Party the winner of the country’s 7th general election, securing 438 of 547 parliamentary seats, roughly 90 […]
Tag: ProsperityParty
From Nobel Peace Prize to Civil War: The Rise and Fall of Abiy Ahmed’s Promise
When Abiy Ahmed took office as Ethiopia’s prime minister in 2018, he arrived as a breath of fresh air for a nation long burdened by authoritarian rule. Within just three months, he had brokered a peace deal ending a two-decade standoff with neighboring Eritrea, a feat that astonished the world […]
Ethiopia Heads to Polls Amid Conflict and Democratic Concerns
Ethiopia is preparing for parliamentary elections on June 1, 2026, but widespread conflict, restricted press freedom, and opposition concerns are casting doubt on whether the vote will reflect genuine democratic competition. Ethiopia’s electoral authority announced that voting will not proceed in 46 electoral districts across the Amhara and Tigray regions. […]
Ethiopia’s June Election: A Race With Only One Likely Finisher
Ethiopia is heading into a general election on June 1 that analysts are already calling one of the least competitive in the country’s modern political history. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed is widely expected to extend his grip on power, even as the country wrestles with active armed conflicts, economic strain, […]
When Music Says What Politics Cannot: Lidetu Ayalew’s Reflections on the Etorika Phenomenon
The release of Ethiopian music icon Teddy Afro’s comeback album Etorika has done far more than dominate streaming charts, it has sparked a profound national conversation about politics, identity, emotion, and the power of art in a country under deep strain. Among those moved to put their thoughts into words […]
Ethiopia Arrests Teddy Afro’s Spokesperson and Close Associates as Government Crackdown Widens
Ethiopian authorities have arrested two individuals with close ties to renowned music icon Teddy Afro, born Tewodros Kassahun, in what observers are calling an alarming escalation of government pressure on the celebrated artist and those around him. The arrests come just days after the release of his highly anticipated comeback […]
Ethiopia’s Prosperity Paradox: Grand Projects, Growing Hunger
As Ethiopia’s government pushes forward with ambitious infrastructure and urban development projects including a reportedly multi-billion-dollar presidential palace, a staggering number of its citizens continue to depend on emergency food aid to survive, raising urgent questions about who the country’s much-touted “prosperity” actually serves. The contrast is stark. While Addis […]
Residents Across Ethiopia’s Amhara Region Take to the Streets Demanding an End to War and Rejecting Upcoming Elections
Widespread peaceful demonstrations broke out across multiple towns in Ethiopia’s Amhara region this week, with residents publicly calling for an end to the ongoing armed conflict and voicing strong opposition to national elections scheduled for June 2026. The protests mark a significant show of public dissent in a region that […]
Ethiopia’s 2026 Election: A Scripted Outcome or Genuine Democracy?
As Ethiopia inches closer to its June 2026 national elections, a growing chorus of analysts, journalists, and opposition voices are raising serious doubts about whether the upcoming vote will represent genuine democratic participation, or a carefully orchestrated performance designed to preserve Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali’s grip on power. A […]