What is at stake in the Ethiopian elections? | | Election News

Millions of Ethiopians will go to the polls on June 1.

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s ruling party, which has consolidated power since taking office in 2018, says it is confident of victory.

Abiy’s government has been plagued by turmoil and conflict for years. Even so, it presents the vote as the next step on the road to what it calls true democracy.

Opponents and critics, however, say that it is impossible because of the differences between the tribes and regions of Ethiopia. Opposition parties have been eliminated and violence is preventing voting in many districts.

So, will the votes have any meaning?

Presenter: Mohammed Jamjoom

Guests:

Samuel Getachew – Journalist and commentator on Ethiopian politics and security

Martin Plaut – Senior Researcher at King’s College London

Bizuneh Yimenu – Lecturer in comparative politics at Queen’s University Belfast who specializes in federalism.