Ethiopia: Prime Minister Abiy defends delaying polls

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed on Tuesday defended the postponement of general elections, saying that because of the novel coronavirus pandemic, the decision was not unique to his country.

During a question and answer session in the parliament, the prime minister said many countries have also delayed elections due to pandemic.

He said elections are meant to form the governments and the purpose of a government is to protect the citizens, adding that endangering citizens during the election process is not the role of a responsible government.

The general elections were originally scheduled on Aug. 29 but were put off due to the pandemic. The five-year term of the current parliament will expire on Oct. 10. No new dates have been set for the elections yet.

Abiy said that there was a risk of people contracting the virus as they had to use fingerprints during the voting system.

He said 260,000 people have been tested so far in Ethiopia, and efforts have been made to increase testing capacities. The country has reported 6,000 infections so far with 100 deaths.

It was the first time the prime minister addressed the parliament since the death of Oromo activist Hachalu Hundessa that triggered violence and led to the deaths of at least 156 people.

Hundessa, 36, was shot dead by unidentified gunmen in Addis Ababa last week.

The Oromo-language singer was buried last Thursday under heavy police and military presence in his home town of Ambo, about 100 kilometers (62 miles) west of the capital. He is survived by his wife and two children.

Abiy also called on all political actors in the country to refrain from violence while advocating for Oromo rights.

Oromo people are the largest ethnic group in the East African country, but have long complained of discrimination and rights violations.

"I have voted for the Oromo people to be equal and gain their livelihood in equality and dignity with others," Abiy said.

He warned that anyone who created discord and division among the Oromo and Ethiopia as a whole would be held accountable to the law.

Abiy on Friday said the violence was an attempt to instigate a civil war, which was foiled.