By: Ollus Ndomu
The most anticipated June 5 elections in Ethiopia have been postponed for the second time as unresolved grievances deepen over the Tigray crisis.
Ethiopians were scheduled to vote for a new Parliament including regional and municipal councils this year.
Elections in Africa’s second most populous country have postponed for the second time after the Covid-19 pandemic delayed the August 2020 vote. According local and international media, the postponement of August polls last year bled an unsanctioned election by the local administration in Tigray in defiance of the federal government decision, which led to the current conflict which has killed several hundred and displaced millions.
Speaking in an interview with DW, William Davison of the International Crisis Group commented that hopes for a peaceful election are increasingly fading while unresolved ethic grievances persist.
“The big problem is the level of violence we’re seeing across the country at this time, which looks like it is increasing in the run-up to the elections in early June,” Davidson said.
Meanwhile the United States has expressed concern and worry about the military forces blocking humanitarian access to some parts of Tigray region. Blocking of humanitarian access places the 5.2 million Tigrayans who desperately need assistance at risk of starving to death.
In its latest call for peace, the U.S. also urged Eritrea authorities to immediately withdraw it forces, which are already facing numerous accusations including rape, defilement, crimes against humanity among the civilian Tigray population.
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