Eight Years of Reform: How Ethiopia’s Governance and Politics Transformed Under PM Abiy Ahmed

Addis Ababa, April 1, 2026 (FMC) — Ethiopia has undergone a series of significant political and governance changes since Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed assumed office on April 2, 2018, marked by policy decisions, legal reforms, and institutional restructuring that have shaped the country’s reform trajectory over the past eight years.

At the outset of the reform period in 2018, PM Abiy introduced sweeping political liberalization measures. Thousands of political prisoners were released, and detention facilities such as Maekelawi—previously associated with political interrogations—were closed.

His government also lifted bans on opposition groups, including the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF), the Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF), and Ginbot 7, enabling them to operate legally within the country.

These measures were accompanied by the lifting of a state of emergency and the reopening of previously restricted media outlets and digital platforms, marking a shift in the political and civic landscape.

In parallel, exiled political figures and organizations returned to Ethiopia and resumed operations, re-entering the domestic political arena after years abroad. Diaspora-based media outlets also re-established their presence, contributing to a more diverse media environment.

Legal and regulatory reforms followed. The revision of the Charities and Societies Proclamation in 2019 expanded the operational space for civil society organizations, while amendments to the Anti-Terrorism Proclamation in 2020 revised provisions related to security and civil liberties. A new Media Proclamation, adopted in 2021, introduced an updated framework governing press operations.

Institutional changes were also undertaken in the electoral system. The National Electoral Board was reconstituted with new leadership, and the country conducted a general election in 2021 involving multiple political parties under revised administrative arrangements.

In the area of governance representation, PM Abiy formed a gender-balanced cabinet in 2018. Ethiopia also saw the appointment of its first female president, Sahle-Work Zewde (October 25, 2018 – October 7, 2024), alongside increased representation of women in senior government positions.

Despite winning the 2021 general elections, the ruling Prosperity Party under PM Abiy Ahmed demonstrated a commitment to power-sharing by appointing leaders from competitive political parties to federal and state ministerial posts, as well as leadership roles across regional and local government structures. This reflects a Medemer-inspired approach to inclusive governance, ensuring that political pluralism was represented in the administration even after electoral victory.

Changes were also made within the security and intelligence sectors, with leadership restructuring in key institutions, including the National Intelligence and Security Service and the Ethiopian National Defense Force. In the early phase of the reform period, authorities also carried out anti-corruption investigations, leading to the arrest and prosecution of officials accused of corruption and human rights violations.

A major structural political shift came in 2019 with the dissolution of the Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) coalition and the formation of the Prosperity Party, creating a single unified ruling party.

Efforts to address broader political issues also led to the establishment of the National Dialogue Commission in 2021, mandated to facilitate discussions on key national questions.

Throughout this period, PM Abiy has articulated the Medemer philosophy as a guiding principle in his policy direction and public messaging.

The reform trajectory has unfolded alongside major national challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic and internal conflicts, during which federal institutions continued to operate and implement administrative decisions.

As Ethiopia marks eight years since the launch of these reforms, the period reflects a sequence of documented political decisions and institutional changes under PM Abiy Ahmed (PhD) that continue to shape the country’s governance landscape.