Hopes high Ethiopia's new PM will ease turmoil

The election of a new leader in Ethiopia is a sigh of relief to the citizens who are yearning for peace following months of anti-government protests.

But while some feel that the development will bring calm to Africa's fastest-growing economy, others say more needs to be done in order to effectively solve the conflicts, and positive or negative impacts on both the economy and political stability will depend on whether the new leader has a vision for the country or not.

According to Sikhumbuzo Zondi, a research assistant at Institute for Global Dialogue, the election of Abiy Ahmed as the new prime minister would likely ease tensions in the country, especially if he lifts the state of emergency that was imposed by the Council of Ministers on Feb 16, following the resignation of former prime minister Hailemariam Desalegn.

"The election of a new prime minister will restore calm and order to Africa's second-most populous country, and the center of the continent's political governance," Zondi said.

He added that the election has the potential to improve Ethiopia's image as Africa's rapid economic performer and one of the major lures for foreign development cooperation, particularly from China.

"Maintaining stability in Ethiopia is a positive move for the whole of the Horn of Africa and the East African region to inter-intra state conflicts and economic volatility," Zondi said.

However, Anita Kiamba, a lecturer at the University of Nairobi's school of diplomacy, said it's still early to gauge the influence of Ahmed's victory on the economy and politics.

"Unless he performs, we are not likely to know if our expectations will be met. However, East Africa will have to welcome any new leader at this time to ensure political stability," she said.

Doctor Gerishon Ikiara, an international economics lecturer at University of Nairobi, said outgoing prime minister Hailemariam Desalegn had formulated a good vision for the country, and the worry is whether the new leader will follow it or not.

Additionally, Ahmed comes from the Oromo, which has long felt marginalized despite being Ethiopia's largest ethnic group. Ikiara pointed out that Ahmed's election could calm the community, which has been the key player in demonstrations.

Job Kihumba, executive director of Corporate Finance at Standard Investment Bank, said that while Ethiopia had been fairly closed to other East African countries in terms of trade partnerships, progress had been made.

"The prime minister was working on opening up the country's economy to neighboring countries. I hope that the new leader will carry the vision on," he said.

Ethiopia has been experiencing mass protests since 2015, when anti-government demonstrations broke out among the Oromo and later spread to the Amhara, the second-biggest group.