Brussels 28.06.2021 Today the Ethiopians vote in general elections with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed seeking a popular mandate after his 2018 rise to power ended decades of authoritarian rule. But while Abiy’s victory is seen as probable, the international community is unlikely to see the election as legitimate amid voting delays, ongoing violence in Tigray and a boycott by some opposition parties.

Prime Minister Abiy is the subject of amplifying international criticism over alleged rights violations in the Tigray conflict while journalists and opposition figures claim he suppressing the very freedoms he  once championed.

Initially Abiy Ahmed was rule was celebrated abroad, attributing to him the 2019 Nobel Peace Prize for ending two decades of hostilities between Ethiopia and Eritrea soon after he ascended to power. He was also phrased for revoked bans on opposition parties and freed thousands of political prisoners.