The two faces of Ethiopia’s democracy
Ethiopians go to the polls for the first time since the death of strongman Meles Zenawi.
More than 36 million people have registered in Ethiopia’s election. But many argue the vote in this African country falls short of being free and fair. The opposition accuses the government of using authoritarian tactics to secure victory for the ruling party.
The Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front has been in power for almost 25 years, during which there’s been significant economic growth.
Human rights groups have regularly accused Ethiopia of clamping down on opposition supporters and journalists, and of using anti-terrorism laws to silence dissent and jail critics.
On Inside Story, a discussion on the state of democracy in Ethiopia
Presenter: Folly Bah Thibault
Guests:
Redwan Hussein – Spokesman for the Ethiopian People’s Ruling Democratic Front.
Rachel Nicholson – Horn of Africa campaigner at Amnesty International.
Yonatan Tesfaye – public relations head for the Opposition Blue Party.