Ethiopia Referendum: PM eulogizes voters

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has congratulated voters who took part in the referendum held on Wednesday in what is known as the Sidama Zone, in Southern Ethiopia.

More than two million people were eligible to vote on whether they want their own regional state within Ethiopia’s federal system.

If the referendum passes as expected, the new state, largely home to the Sidama ethnic group, who make up about 4% of the country’s population, will control local taxes, education, security and laws.

The vote comes ahead of a national election next year.

The results are expected later on Thursday.