Ethiopia Registers Commendable Political, Economic Progress Following Reforms, Says Sahrawi Ambassador

Addis Ababa, August 14, 2026 (ENA) — Ethiopia has been making commendable progress in both political and economic spheres following the reforms undertaken in the country, Sahrawi Ambassador to Ethiopia and the African Union Lamine Baali said.

Speaking to ENA, Ambassador Baali congratulated Ethiopia’s Prosperity Party (PP) on securing an overwhelming majority in the 7th general election, saying the election results, together with the party’s vision and strategy, demonstrate encouraging developments in recent years.

The ambassador highlighted the broad public participation in the election, noting that 42 political parties took part in the process and that more than 54 million voters participated.

He described the level of participation as a positive indication of citizens’ commitment to exercising their political responsibilities.

Baali also said the election represented a positive development in Ethiopia’s democratic process, citing increased political participation, the involvement of a larger number of political parties and the presence of election observers as signs of progress.

The reform agenda led by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed with contributing to greater political, economic and social cohesion in the country, he added.

Reflecting on the broader reform process over the past eight years, the ambassador said the election demonstrated Ethiopia’s efforts to advance political reform alongside economic transformation and initiatives aimed at improving citizens’ livelihoods.

Baali further stressed the importance of national dialogue, particularly following elections, saying political competition should be followed by dialogue to promote inclusive development and strengthen national unity.

Ethiopia’s experience could provide valuable lessons for other African countries and encouraged greater exchange of experiences and best practices among African nations, he noted.

On Ethiopia’s investment and tourism sectors, the ambassador said the continued implementation of reforms and policies was producing tangible results, including visible improvements in major cities and increased tourism activity.

He also pointed to regional development projects aimed at promoting inclusiveness as encouraging signs, while noting that major transformation initiatives generally require time to produce their full impact.

Regarding bilateral relations, Baali said ties between Ethiopia and the Sahrawi Republic remain strong, recalling cooperation between the two countries dating back to the 1970s.

He expressed interest in further expanding bilateral cooperation in areas including culture, sports, trade, investment, health and other fields of mutual interest.