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Ethiopians Just Showed the World They Do Not Need Lectures on Democracy

Jun 01, 2026 178

Prime Minister Abiy addressed the historical skeptics and those he described as the nation's "historical enemies," who had long propagated the narrative that democratic elections were impossible to hold in Ethiopia. He praised the public for their "heroic spirit," noting that the large turnout and the dedication of citizens who lined up from the early morning hours have effectively shamed those who sought to disrupt the peace.

The Prime Minister made these remarks in his hometown of Beshasha, where he cast his vote for the 7th General Election. Following his ballot, he underscored the gravity of the event, describing it as a crucial turning point for the nation's future. Asserting that this election serves as a foundational step toward building a strong state and securing a better country for the next generation, he declared, "We will not see the Ethiopia of yesterday in five years' time."

Emphasizing the self-reliance of the Ethiopian people, the Prime Minister noted that citizens require no external guidance or admonishment in exercising their democratic rights. He stated, "Ethiopians know how to assemble, march, and unite when necessary. Serving such a people requires being elected."

However, the Prime Minister insisted that with the voting process underway, the focus must now shift from the electorate to the responsibilities of those who will be elected. "Today, the biggest question is not that of the voter, but that of the elected," he said. He emphasized that his primary concern lies in the readiness of these officials to repay the public's trust with "pure hearts, diligence, and responsibility."

He urged the prospective winners to prepare themselves with high discipline and to labor without fatigue to change the course of history. He framed the post-election requirements clearly: "What is needed is not resentment or bickering, but service; not competition, but results; not empty words, but action."

Concluding his message, the Prime Minister affirmed that he is ready to accept the election results, whether winning or losing, and framed the coming five years as a critical historical chapter. "It will require us to work harder than we have, strive more than we have labored, think beyond what we have imagined, and add more than we have summed up," he said.