A family's tragic history mirrors Ethiopia's struggle for freedom

Ayalew Wedajo, 60, attends an interview with Reuters outside a cafe near Aba Koran neighbourhood of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia June 20, 2021. Picture taken June 20, 2021. REUTERS/Ayenat Mersie

ADDIS ABABA (Reuters) - Before unemployed labourer Ayalew Wedajo voted in Monday's Ethiopian election, he prayed for the soul of his eldest son Getinet, killed in a pro-democracy demonstration 16 years ago.

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has billed the poll as Ethiopia's "first attempt at free and fair elections". [L2N2O3073]