After delaying last year’s election for “COVID-19” related reasons, Ethiopia’s electoral board announced that elections in the Harar and Somalia regions would be postponed until September due to irregularities and problems printing ballot papers. Voting will also not take place in the Tigray region, where no new date has been set for voting. Reuters reported on June 21, 2021 that authorities were unable to hold elections in four of Ethiopia’s 10 regions with election board chief Birtukan Midekssa warning that these events will “jeopardise the credibility of the election process.”. Despite the exclusion of these regions, Ethiopia is still calling this election “free” and “fair,” its first after decades of repressive rule. The further delay to a completely democratic process raises concerns for OLLAA – due to the fact that this is a clear way to allow Abiy to stay in control of the country and gain legitimacy. The postponement and suppression of the election is a clear attempt by the government to maintain their power and deny Ethiopian citizens of their democratic right to choose.
The head of the Oromo Federalist Congress stated that his party would boycott elections after regional security forces shut down 203 of their offices in the Oromia region, leaving only three remaining. Political detainees from other opposition parties stated they lost hope for a credible election in the country, reinforcing concerns from the United States and European Union. US officials have called for the elections to be postponed due to security concerns and the EU withdrew its electoral observation mission due to lack of agreement on key parameters.
Elections tend to be more complex in conflict situations, but are important for the larger peacebuilding process in a region. However, research shows that poorly timed elections in these scenarios can do more harm than good – especially in conflict situations. From the detention of opposition politicians, harassment of independent media, and the many interethnic and intercommunal conflicts across Ethiopia, there were many obstacles to the election process.
Should Ethiopia have postponed elections again to make sure the ground is fertile for a successful outcome? The short answer is yes, conducting an election in an environment where persons would more than likely be subject to violence and where opposition parties are not welcome; is not conducive to a “fair” and “free” election, in fact it is impossible to have a fair and free election under these circumstances. Additionally, without the international community present to observe and hold officials accountable, there is no hope that elections will be credible – meaning that this, like all others, will be another sham election on Ethiopia’s 30 year long list.
As an organization dedicated to peace, OLLAA urges the Ethiopian government to take seriously the concerns raised by the international community and civil society organizations. To have a fair democratic election, the Ethiopian government must ensure that all persons can participate and that opposition parties can operate without fear of imprisonment. However, Ethiopia’s election took place without meeting these basic but important criteria.
For this election to be considered “fair” – OLLAA thinks that the following should have taken place before Ethiopia proceeded;
- The release of all Oromo political prisoners currently detained, including oppositions leaders Jawar Mohammed and Dawud Ibsa
- The allowing of all opposition offices to re-open, including offices of the Oromo Federalist Congress (OFC) and Oromo Liberation Front (OLF)
- The ending of ceasefire to all current armed conflicts and military campaigns
- Ensuring that all citizens can vote in all phases of the election process.
OLLAA condemns this election that made a mockery of democracy and urges international bodies to denounce it as well. In addition to the war in Tigray and Oromia, political imprisonment of opposition leaders and activists; Ethiopia is also facing border tensions with Sudan in the North, risk of famine, and other violent outbreaks in Kimant, Afar, Ogaden and Wolayta. Ethiopia’s political and social atmosphere was not set for an election, which has allowed the current Prime Minister to stay in control despite cries from its citizens for change.