Africa East Africa Featured World 

Ethiopia’s Sidama vote overwhelmingly for autonomous region

Ethiopia’s Sidama people have voted overwhelmingly to form their own self-governing region as many of the country’s ethnic groups demand greater autonomy under sweeping reforms led by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed. The country’s electoral board said on Saturday that provisional results showed 98.5% of voters had backed the change in Wednesday’s ballot, with turnout reaching 99.7%. The result grants the… Read More
Africa East Africa Featured World 

Ethiopia: Prime Minister Abiy congratulates Sidama voters

Ahead of official declaration of results from Wednesday’s referendum, Ethiopia’s Prime Minister, Abiy Ahmed has congratulated voters in Sidama who are seeking autonomy. People of the Sidama zone, in southern Ethiopia took part in Wednesday’s referendum demanding their own regional state within Ethiopia’s federal system. The Sidama people form 4% of Ethiopia’s 105 million population and Wednesday’s autonomy vote is… Read More
Africa East Africa World 

Ethiopia’s Sidama people hold crucial autonomy vote

Ethiopia’s Sidama people are holding a vote to decide whether to become an autonomy region or otherwise. Wednesday’s referendum could trigger similar action from other ethnic groups also seeking more autonomy. The Sidama people form 4% of Ethiopia’s 105 million population and Wednesday’s autonomy vote is coming ahead of a general election next year. In July clashes between security forces… Read More