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Politics
Lovise Aalen, Senior Researcher, Political Science, Chr. Michelsen Institute

Abiy Ahmed gained power in Ethiopia with the help of young people – four years later he's silencing them

Ethiopians celebrate Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's Nobel Peace Prize win in 2019. Minasse Wondimu Hailu/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

When Abiy Ahmed took power as Ethiopia’s prime minister in April 2018, he was the youngest head of government in Africa.

At 42, he represented a stark contrast to many ageing African leaders who had been in position for decades. These leaders often stake their claim to power by referring to their victories in revolutionary wars many decades back.

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