Ethiopia: Prime Minister swearing-in ceremony in Addis Ababa April 2

Event

The Prime Minister-elect of Ethiopia, Abiye Ahmed, will be sworn in on Monday, April 2, at the House of People’s Representatives in Addis Ababa. Ahmed was chosen by the ruling coalition, the Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front, to succeed Hailemariam Desalegn as its chairperson. Abiye, the first ethnic Oromo to become Prime Minister since 1991, will enter office amid the ongoing state of emergency and considerable unrest in the Oromiya and Ahmara regions of the country where citizens complain they have been politically and economically marginalized.

A ban on protests has been in effect in Ethiopia since the declaration of a state of emergency on February 16;  nevertheless, associated demonstrations and transportation disruptions are possible.

Context

Outbreaks of violence continue to plague the country, notably in the Oromia region. A heightened security presence is thus to be expected across Ethiopian cities while the state of emergency remains in effect. Associated measures, implemented amid an increasingly tense security environment, include a ban on protests and on the production and distribution of publications deemed to incite violence.

Despite these restrictions, demonstrations against the state of emergency have taken place in recent weeks. During protests on March 11, soldiers reportedly killed nine civilians and wounded 12 others after mistaking them for rebels in the Moyale area of the Oromia region. A three-day shutdown strike was also conducted between March 5 and 7.

Advice

Individuals in Ethiopia, and notably in Addis Ababa are advised to monitor developments to the situation, avoid any large gatherings and demonstrations due to the risk of violence, and adhere to all instructions issued by the local authorities or their home government.