UN Expresses Concerns Over Ethiopia Ethnic Tensions Amid Elections

Rising ethnic tensions in Ethiopia has been highlighted as a major setback as voting continues in the country’s regional and parliamentary elections.

UN’s human rights chief, Michelle Bachelet said that nearly a fifth of the constituencies are not taking part in the poll because of insecurity and irregularities.

They include the whole of the Tigray region, where civil war broke out in November.

Opening the 47th session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva, Ms Bachelet said the volatile situation needed to be addressed and called for a political dialogue.

“In many other parts of Ethiopia alarming incidents of deadly ethnic and inter-communal violence and displacement are linked to increasing polarisation about longstanding grievances,” she said.

“The ongoing deployment of military forces is not a durable solution and I encourage comprehensive and multi-dimensional dialogue throughout the country to address the real grievances held, ” she added.

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