What’s at stake in Ethiopia’s elections?

play Live Sign upShow navigation menu.css-15ru6p1{font-size:inherit;font-weight:normal;}Navigation menuNewsShow more news sectionsAfricaAsiaUS & CanadaLatin AmericaEuropeAsia PacificMiddle EastExplainedOpinionWorld CupVideoMoreShow more sectionsFeaturesEconomySportHuman RightsClimate CrisisInvestigationsInteractivesIn PicturesScience & TechnologyPodcastsTravelplay Live Click here to searchsearchSign upplay videoplay videoVideo Duration 27 minutes 37 seconds play-arrow27:37Inside StoryWhat’s at stake in Ethiopia’s elections?Ethiopia’s governing party is seeking to cement its grip on power amid a fragmented electorate. Millions of Ethiopians are heading to the polls for general elections on June 1. The governing party of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, who has consolidated power since he took office in 2018, says it is confident of victory. Abiy’s government has faced years of turmoil and conflict. Despite that, it is portraying the vote as the next step on the path towards what it calls genuine democracy. Critics and the opposition, however, argue that is unlikely because of Ethiopia’s ethnic and regional divisions. Some opposition parties have been excluded and violence is preventing voting in dozens of constituencies. So, will the vote hold any significance? Samuel Getachew – Journalist and commentator specialising in Ethiopian politics and security Martin Plaut – Senior research fellow at King’s College London Bizuneh Yimenu – Lecturer in comparative politics at Queen’s University Belfast who specialises in federalism. xwhatsapp-strokecopylinkgoogleAdd Al Jazeera on GoogleinfoMore from the same showIs the war in Ukraine entering a new phase?Video Duration 27 minutes 58 seconds play-arrow27:58What’s next after scrapping the ‘Black Code’ in France?Video Duration 28 minutes 00 seconds play-arrow28:00What’s behind South Africa’s anti-migrant protests?Video Duration 27 minutes 52 seconds play-arrow27:52Why is Israel ramping up attacks in Lebanon despite a ceasefire?Video Duration 28 minutes 00 seconds play-arrow28:00Is pragmatism replacing ideology in international affairs?Video Duration 28 minutes 00 seconds play-arrow28:00What are the implications of US sanctions in Lebanon?Video Duration 28 minutes 00 seconds play-arrow28:00Do aid flotillas make a difference for Palestinians under Israeli blockade?Video Duration 28 minutes 00 seconds play-arrow28:00AboutAboutShow moreAbout UsCode of EthicsTerms and ConditionsEU/EEA Regulatory NoticePrivacy PolicyCookie PolicyCookie PreferencesAccessibility StatementSitemapWork for usConnectConnectShow moreContact UsUser Accounts HelpAdvertise with usStay ConnectedNewslettersChannel FinderTV SchedulePodcastsSubmit a TipPaid Partner ContentOur ChannelsOur ChannelsShow moreAl Jazeera ArabicAl Jazeera EnglishAl Jazeera Investigative UnitAl Jazeera MubasherAl Jazeera DocumentaryAl Jazeera BalkansAJ+Our NetworkOur NetworkShow moreAl Jazeera Centre for StudiesAl Jazeera Media InstituteLearn ArabicAl Jazeera Centre for Public Liberties & Human RightsAl Jazeera ForumAl Jazeera Hotel PartnersFollow Al Jazeera English: