Saturday November 9 2019
Oromo youth chant slogans during a protest in-front of Jawar MohammedÕs house, an Oromo activist and leader of the Oromo protest in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on October 24, 2019. PHOTO | REUTERS
In Summary
- Trouble started when PM Abiy Ahmed announced that elections will be held in May 2020.
- On Sunday, over 86 people were reported killed in violence in Oromia and Harari states, and Dire Dawa city administration.
- Analysts say that Dr Abiy—who came to power in April 2018—promised more reforms than he could deliver in the short term.
By FRED OLUOCH
Ethiopia is facing political anxiety amid pending elections, delayed political reforms, and forces opposed to reforms, fuelling inter-ethnic violence in the country.
Trouble started when Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed announced that elections will be held in May 2020, but the registration of political parties is a slow process.
Opposition parties have objected to new registration rules, which require a national political party to collect 10,000 signatures, up from 1,500, and regional parties to get 4,000 signatures, up from 750.
Meanwhile three of the nine states—Tigray, Somali, and Oromia—are demanding greater autonomy, as the Constitution provides for self-determination.
On Sunday, over 86 people were reported killed in violence in Oromia and Harari states, and Dire Dawa city administration.
Analysts say that Dr Abiy—who came to power in April 2018—promised more reforms than he could deliver in the short term.
“The volatile political situation is due to transition as the government tries to move away from tight political control and suppression and the security forces are reluctant to use force. At the same time they are stretched because of the many conflicts across the country,” William Davison, a senior analyst on Ethiopia at the International Crisis Group, said.