The landslide re-election of Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has triggered alarm among international observers, who warn that the consolidation of power could destabilise the Horn of Africa. Mr. Ahmed’s Prosperity Party secured 98% of seats in parliament following a vote boycotted by major opposition groups and marred by logistical failures in conflict-affected regions.
The result, announced late Tuesday, effectively extinguishes any hope of a negotiated settlement with the Tigray People’s Liberation Front, whose forces have been battling federal troops since November. Analysts fear the electoral mandate will embolden Mr. Ahmed to pursue a military solution in Tigray, risking a humanitarian catastrophe and drawing in regional powers such as Sudan and Eritrea.
The African Union has called for restraint, but has offered no concrete proposals. With diplomatic channels all but closed, the prospect of a broader war looms over a region already grappling with famine and displacement.