Politics
New Government in Ethiopia: Challenges and Opportunities The past three years of transition have brought important undertakings that led to ascertaining political freedom and democracy in Ethiopia. It will only be timely to draw the significant developments made to hold a democratic national election and why it is important to make sure this democratic path has to succeed.
Prime Minster Abiy Ahmed greeting the public on the inaugural celebration of the new Government Credit: Office of the Prime Minister of Ethiopia The democratic election that was held on the 21st of June and the formation of the new government on the 4th of October 2021 is one of the most important achievements of the reform embarked upon back in 2018. When the new government led by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed took office, it initiated unprecedented reforms that has heralded the release of thousands of political prisoners, gave amnesty for many oppositions in exile to return and take part in the political dispensation of the country and it has also reformed repressive laws and strengthened the ethos of unity in diversity. The step taken to create an independent electoral structure was part of this process that has been essential to run a successful election. Given the current reality in Ethiopia, it would be timely to emphasize the struggle made to ascertain the rule of law through the recent national election and the need to uphold a democratic path.
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The Ethiopian Messenger
This was an election better contested with more than 52 parties taking part for both the federal and local parliamentary seats. Former oppositions and political figures that were excluded from the political scene in Ethiopia were allowed to partake in the contestations. The conduct of such a successful election has to also be credited to the painstaking work done by the National Election Board of Ethiopia, led by former political prisoner herself, the Honorable Madam Birtukan Mideksa. The level of transparency that the Board has demonstrated both at the stages of voters’ education, registration and results administration was simply of a high standard for an infant democracy like Ethiopia. The election was a landmark, showcasing the commitment of the govern-
