Coronavirus in Ethiopia: Abiy Ahmed shows confidence despite criticism

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For the fifth time since the start of the health crisis, the Ethiopian Parliament met in extraordinary session. The Prime Minister appeared before the elected officials. Abiy Ahmed spoke at length about the Covid-19 situation. As the country exceeds 2,100 patients, the Nobel Peace Prize has not raised an eyebrow.

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With our correspondent in Nairobi, Sébastien Németh

Abiy Ahmed wanted to offer a resolutely confident face, despite certain criticisms. The head of government has gobbled up some figures going in his direction: $ 2.2 billion for the response to the coronavirus, 17,000 beds opened in 54 health centers, 31 laboratories operational in three months and a testing capacity that will increase to 14 000 per day in June.

However, the increase in the number of patients is accelerating and the Minister of Health has expressed concern. Some also criticized the head of government for not having established confinement inside the country.

“  Impulsive measures have hurt many countries. Making decisions without considering local realities is dangerous,  ”said Abiy Ahmed.

On the economic side, the head of government again presented a reassuring picture. He said he expected growth of 6% this year. He also announced a 13% increase in exports, except that these figures include the last ten months and could quickly be sealed by the coronavirus.

“  All the countries in the zone have growth forecasts divided by two, even three. For Ethiopia, we expect 2 or 3%, even stagnation,  "tempers an economist.

The self-satisfaction of Abiy Ahmed is perhaps not unrelated to the electoral context. Even if the August poll has been postponed, the Nobel Prize sees himself as a favorite and looks more and more like a man in the countryside.

► Read also: Coronavirus: Ethiopia postpones its general elections sine die

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• Ethiopia
• Coronavirus
• Abiy ahmed