Who is ethiopian leader

It also imposed restrictions on economic and security assistance. This is a remarkable turnaround to how Mr Abiy and his government were viewed three years ago. But when it came to the election, it was his reputation at home that mattered most - and that had also been damaged. Last year's postponement of the poll when the coronavirus hit the country was seen by some as a power grab.

Some ethnic Oromos "who supported him or otherwise were neutral [towards him] have now turned against him", argues Adem K Abebe, a Netherlands-based Ethiopian analyst.

While in Tigray where there were suspicions towards him even from the very beginning, "the mistrust towards him has morphed into hatred", he adds. And while he has enjoyed some backing among ethnic Amharas, that has recently been affected by a recurrence of ethnic-based attacks against Amharas living in Oromia and Benishangul-Gumuz regions.

The shifts in attitudes towards the prime minister are "partly a result of the unrealistic expectations and personality cult that Mr Abiy sought to build", Mr Adem told the BBC.

He promised "peace, democracy and prosperity while facing mistrust among significant portions of the population and now among key Western allies". While he shuns interviews with reporters, he nonetheless enjoys the spotlight.

A common theme in his numerous speeches and social media posts is how Ethiopia will prevail despite significant challenges. It appears that he sees criticism of his government as an inevitable by-product of attempting to bring change.

The singer whose murder sparked Ethiopia protests. Inside the mind of this year's Nobel Peace Prize winner. News in Afaan Oromo. Image source, AFP. There was a jubilant atmosphere among those who came to celebrate Abiy Ahmed's swearing-in. Image source, Getty Images. Youthful exuberance. There were large rallies backing the prime minister's reforms in Nevertheless, he had been an insider.

Musician murdered. You may also want to read:. Criticism is inevitable. But it is not clear how much this bothers Mr Abiy. More about the crisis in Tigray:. The United Nations said on Monday that it stands by the neutrality and professionalism of its staffand again reiterated that it does not accept Ethiopia's declaration that the officials are personae non gratae. However, U. The United States has condemned the expulsions and threatened unilateral sanctions against those who obstructed humanitarian efforts.

Abiy was appointed prime minister by the then-governing coalition in and promised political and economic reforms. Within months of taking office, he lifted a ban on opposition parties, released tens of thousands of political prisoners and took steps to open up one of Africa's last untapped markets.

But rights groups say those freedoms are now being rolled back. The United States also condemned the expulsions and warned that it would not hesitate to use unilateral sanctions against those who obstructed humanitarian efforts. Abiy was appointed prime minister by the then-governing coalition in and promised political and economic reforms. Within months of taking office, he lifted a ban on opposition parties, released tens of thousands of political prisoners and took steps to open up one of Africa's last untapped markets.

His government now faces accusations from rights groups that it is rolling back some new freedoms, which it denies. In June's vote, Abiy's Prosperity Party won of the parliamentary seats that were contested, out of a total seats. Security and logistical problems delayed voting in the other seats.