Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed speaks at the inauguration of the newly remodeled Meskel Square on June 13, 2021 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Photo: Jemal Countess/Getty Images
Ethiopia's ruling Prosperity Party has been declared the winner of last month's election, securing another five-year term for Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, AP reports.
Why it matters: The vote served as a test for Abiy, who came to power in 2018. Many viewed the election as a chance for him to gain democratic legitimacy and for Ethiopia to hold its first free and fair election, Axios' Dave Lawler writes.
- Yes, but: The U.S. has called the election "significantly flawed," per AP.
The big picture: In what was an expected win, the ruling party won 410 seats of 436 contested in the federal parliament, according to the National Election Board of Ethiopia.
- No votes were cast in Tigray, where a war has been raging and thousands of people face famine conditions.
- The Ethiopian Citizens for Social Justice party has filed 207 complaints with the electoral body in response to the vote.
Catch up quick: Abiy, a Nobel Peace Prize winner, promised new political freedoms and touted a vision for the country defined by a national identity, rather than ethnic or regional identity.
- Abiy oversaw dramatic political reforms after taking office, but critics now fear he may be reestablishing the authoritarian rule he once so adamantly opposed.
What to watch: The new government is expected to take shape in October, per AP.
Go deeper: Ethiopia holds a vital, flawed election