Ethiopia’s Ruling Party Wins 438 Seats

ETHIOPIA · POLITICS

Published Monday, 26 October, 12:39 p.m. ET · Source: Ethiopian parliament, National Election Board of Ethiopia, Ethiopian government statements

Ethiopia’s ruling party has won nine in ten of the parliamentary seats contested, handing Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed a second term with little opposition in the chamber. The Prosperity Party took 438 of the 486 seats contested in the general election on 1 June, out of 547 in the House, and Abiy was sworn in on 5 October.

No vote was held in Tigray, where 38 seats stay empty.The result comes while the country is again tense in the north and short of rain.Fighting with forces linked to the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) flared in late September, and drought is damaging crops in parts of the country.

How the Vote Went

More than 54 million people were registered, and 47 parties and more than 10,900 candidates took part. The African Union sent an observation mission led by former Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta, which gave its preliminary assessment on 3 June.

The result gives the party the majority it needs to form the government.

Tigray Back in the Headlines

The TPLF is the party that ran Ethiopia for decades before Abiy came to power in 2018. After a large offensive by TPLF-aligned forces in late September, federal troops advanced and took Mekelle, the Tigray capital, around 3 or 4 October, and the TPLF said it had moved out temporarily and would keep fighting.

On 16 October the government announced a six-month interim administration for Tigray followed by regional elections.One local-language report says four TPLF leaders have been captured, but we could not confirm it.

Washington’s Warning

On 23 September the US ambassador, Ervin J. Massinga, warned that Washington had “tools to sanction additional leaders” after the offensive. We have found no new US sanctions so far.

Drought and Food

Parts of southern Tigray are in an official food crisis, a level the United Nations calls IPC Phase 3. A local report says drought linked to El Niño destroyed more than 250,000 hectares of crops in four months, a figure we have not independently confirmed.

What It Means for US Readers

Ethiopia is Africa’s second most populous country and a major recipient of US aid, and instability in Tigray, Amhara and Oromia can drive refugee flows, food shortages and sanctions debates. For a recent example of the violence in the south, read about the attack that killed more than 40 Orthodox Christians in Oromia.

What We Do Not Know

We do not know when Tigray will vote, whether more TPLF leaders have been detained, or how the interim administration will work in practice. We will update this story as the facts become clear.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who won Ethiopia’s election?

The ruling Prosperity Party won 438 of the 486 seats contested in the House of Peoples’ Representatives on 1 June. No vote was held in Tigray. Abiy Ahmed was sworn in for a second term on 5 October.

What is happening in Tigray?

Federal forces took the regional capital, Mekelle, in early October after fighting with TPLF-linked forces. The government named a six-month interim administration on 16 October.

Is there a drought in Ethiopia?

Yes. Parts of southern Tigray are in a food crisis, and local reports say drought has destroyed large areas of crops.

Sources: National Election Board of Ethiopia · Ethiopian parliament and government · African Union observers · US embassy statements · UN food security data.

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This article was produced by The Rio Times’ automated newsroom system. How we use AI · Report an error · Editorial responsibility: Matthias Camenzind, Editor-in-Chief