On September 23, 2026, the authorities of Tigray province announced the beginning of a “defensive war” against the Ethiopian government. To the international community, this declaration signalled the final breakdown of the Pretoria Agreement, which had formally ended the Tigray War in 2022. Yet, for many civilians living in Ethiopia’s north-east, the promised peace never arrived.

The Ethiopian general election, held on the 1st of June, failed to meet a number of basic standards for a competitive democratic election according to most international observers. With fractured security, particularly in the Amhara and Tigray regions, as well as a lack of institutional capacity, organising truly representative national elections has been difficult.

On April 19th, Bulgaria will be heading to the polls for the 8th time in the last 5 years. Yet, these elections feel different. Being a result of mass anti-government protests, and taking place in the context of international geo-political volatility, these elections could have a significant impact on Bulgaria’s future development. The entrance of new political actors, such as the party of former President Rumen Radev, will further produce a new, and less fragmented parliament. Whether these ele