But has last weekend's bloodshed extinguished the glimmer of hope that Ethiopia was on the path toward becoming a united, democratic country? This means the electorate will not be able to democratically legitimize Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's reform agenda, as he had so dearly hoped. The prime minister — who took office on a ticket of reconciliation — may seek to rule with an iron fist. Abiy loyalists are set to be installed in key positions in Ethiopia's regions, the military and secret service. But if Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's "new horizon" reform agenda is to bear fruit, he will have to govern with greater determination.

Source: Ethiopian News June 24, 2019 18:44 UTC