Ethiopia heads to the polls: Elections under the shadow of war and dissent
31 May 2026, 14:04 GMT
By FRANCE24
Source URL: https://www.france24.com/en/ethiopia-heads-to-the-polls-elections-under-the-shadow-of-war-and-dissent
As Ethiopia prepares to hold its seventh General Elections on June 1, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and the ruling Prosperity Party are widely expected to secure a landslide victory. But the stakes for him are high nonetheless: restoring stability and projecting an image of national unity. Critics warn that growing restrictions on press freedom and political dissent are casting a shadow over the vote. And with 70% of the country still affected by armed conflict, many question whether the conditions for a truly democratic election are in place. Report on the ground by our correspondent Tom Canetti.