When Abiy Ahmed took power as Ethiopia’s prime minister in April 2018, he was the youngest head of government in Africa. At 42, he represented a stark contrast to many ageing African leaders who had been in position for decades. These leaders often stake their claim to power by referring to their victories in revolutionary wars many decades back. Before Abiy’s entry, Ethiopia had been governed by the same party for 27 years – the Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front. This was a coalition of parties established by the Tigray People’s Liberation Front in 1991. The party claimed legitimacy by pointing to its victory … Continue reading Abiy Ahmed gained power in Ethiopia with the help of young people – four years later he’s silencing them