Abiy Ahmed Begins New Five-Year Term as Ethiopia Faces Conflict and Eritrea Tensions

Abiy Ahmed has taken the oath of office as Ethiopia’s prime minister for a new five-year term, formally beginning another period in government after his re-election by parliament.

The ceremony followed Ethiopia’s general election in June and was attended by the country’s president and senior government officials. The source information does not identify the attendees by name or specify where the oath-taking ceremony was held.

Parliamentary majority

Ahmed’s ruling Prosperity Party won 438 of the 547 seats in parliament in the general election. Parliament subsequently re-elected him as prime minister for the next five years.

The new mandate begins as Ethiopia faces security challenges. The country has been grappling with fresh fighting involving its armed forces and the recently formed Ethiopian Peoples’ Forces Alliance for Survival armed group.

The group has been involved in fighting with government forces in what the source describes as an effort to topple the government.

Strained relations with Eritrea

Ethiopia has also alleged that neighboring countries are supporting armed groups. Eritrea was among the countries named in those allegations, which have not been independently verified in the available information.

Ethiopia announced the closure of its embassy in Eritrea. The available information does not give the exact date of the closure announcement, stating only that it was made on Thursday.

Ahmed’s swearing-in therefore comes against a backdrop of continued armed conflict and diplomatic tensions, while his government begins a new five-year term following the June election.