Byย Samuel Gebre
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New leader looks to end regional protests, boost economy
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Ruling party earlier announced itโll open up state monopolies
Ethiopia has โno optionโ but to open up its politics for multiparty democracy in order to secure lasting progress, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said Sunday.
Ahmed spoke while meeting in the capital of Addis Ababa with nearly 50 political parties, including four from overseas, โwho demanded reform to include election laws,โ Fitsum Arega, the prime ministerโs chief of staff,ย said on Twitter.
โGiven our current politics, there is no option except pursuing a multiparty democracy supported by strong institutions that respect human rights and rule of law,โ Abiy said. โThis will allow us to mediate our differences peacefully and to ensure lasting progress.โ
While the party leaders appreciated reforms such as freeing political prisoners and reconciliation both at home and regionally, they demanded improvements to election laws and institutions, Fitsum said on Twitter.
Ethiopiaโs ruling party has also announced plans toย open up state monopolies, including sugar, airlines, and telecommunications, to foreign investors, while opposition political groups have begun to be tolerated and thousands of detainees released.
