Ethiopia’s ruling coalition has elected a new leader from the country’s Oromo ethnic group, which has been at the centre of nearly three years of anti-government protests. Abiy Ahmed was elected with more than 60% of the vote, according to state-affiliated media. The vote paves the way for him to take over as prime minister … Read more
Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn has resigned unexpectedly, saying he hoped to end years of unrest and political upheaval. In a televised address, he said his resignation was “vital in the bid to carry out reforms that would lead to sustainable peace and democracy”. Mr Hailemariam, who has led the country since 2012, also stepped … Read more
Ethiopia should rein in a controversial anti-terrorism law and release prisoners, the UN human rights chief said Thursday during a visit to Addis Ababa. The visit by Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, the UN high commissioner for human rights, comes after Ethiopia’s parliament in March extended by four months a state of emergency it declared after … Read more
Ethiopia’s government has charged three prominent opposition activists with inciting riots, destroying property and plotting a coup, a government spokesman told AFP on Wednesday. The allegations come after months of clashes between police and anti-government protesters that killed hundreds and were only quelled after authorities declared a nationwide state of emergency in October. Those facing … Read more
A political crisis of longstanding duration has been brought to the world’s attention by the actions of a competitor at the recently concluded Olympic Games. Marathon runner Feyisa Lilesa’s gesture of raising his arms aloft in the form of a cross as he was about to confirm his silver-medal position was a politically-motivated one intended … Read more