Ethiopia: In the Absence of Fair Play, Radicalism Crowds Out Moderation

editorial

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (PhD) had an audience with leaders of the opposition bloc - if there is one to be described as such - in the middle of last week. Straight away, the weight of things was self-evident in the facial expression of the politicians. They were on the receiving end of Abiy's retort to their dose of remarks. Ironically, for a country that underwent a harrowing month - of violence, internet blackout and an acute rise in societal polarisation - its Prime Minister looked rather relaxed.

Abiy had shed the stern and dour-looking persona he had donned when he appeared in military fatigues before mainly security officials in the week following the death of Hachalu Hundessa, an iconic musician and political activist. It was as if he was speaking now to a different audience, not just in the hall, but nationally as well.

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