African Democracies

Two years ago, Ethiopia’s Prime Minister won the Nobel Peace Prize for ending a long-standing conflict with neighboring Eritrea. Now that same leader is facing global condemnation for waging an eight-month war against a regional government in Ethiopia’s Tigray region. This week, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed declared a cease-fire and withdrew his military from Tigray’s capital, but Tigrayans say the military was forced out in defeat. A major humanitarian crisis in the region remains, though - millions of people in need of emergency food assistance. Quinn Mecham, professor of political science at Brigham Young University, examines the function of democracy in Africa. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis, File)