Addis Ababa on the Brink: Is Ethiopia’s Democratic Transition in Jeopardy?

The persistent violence casts doubt on Ethiopia’s democratic transition and whether the recently-postponed federal elections will be peaceful and credible.

Ethiopia’s transition that started in April 2018 has been mired by persistent violence and ethnic tensions. The killing of the Oromo musician and activist Hachalu has exacerbated an already tumultuous situation and has put the government of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed in a difficult position. Needless to say, the transition will continue to be a fraught process and a source of tension due to many years of inequality and ethnic tensions. The persistent violence casts doubt on the country’s democratic transition and whether the recently-postponed federal elections will be peaceful and credible.