Ethiopia has suspended voting in several key regions, escalating tensions ahead of national elections. The decision affects constituencies in Tigray, Amhara and Oromia, areas already scarred by conflict and ethnic violence. The National Electoral Board cited security concerns and logistical failures, but critics accuse the government of suppressing opposition.
The UK has warned that without immediate Security Council intervention, the country faces a humanitarian collapse. British diplomats are pressing for a resolution authorising aid access and ceasefire monitoring. The suspension risks deepening Ethiopia's fragmentation and regional instability, with potential spillover into the Horn of Africa.
Analysts say the move undermines the credibility of the electoral process and could trigger further violence. International observers have been denied access to affected areas. The UK's warning underscores a growing alarm in Western capitals about the erosion of state authority and the plight of civilians.
Ethiopia's government has dismissed foreign criticism as interference. The situation remains fluid, with potential for renewed conflict.
