In Ethiopia, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed will seek to maintain his party’s solid grip on legislative power as election officials attempt to balance voting rights with widespread security concerns. Violent clashes continue between government forces and militias in Amhara. Meanwhile, growing tensions between Addis Ababa, Tigray and neighbouring Eritrea also present serious obstacles to electoral operations.

On 6 December, Guinea-Bissau is set to hold its first nationwide elections since a military junta seized power on 26 November 2025, shortly after the country held disputed polls. The elections will serve as a significant test of the country’s extremely fragile political system, which is plagued by corruption and a long history of military takeovers. The outcome will also have serious implications for the wider region, as ECOWAS continues to weaken in the face of a growing number of military-led governments.

Finally, South Sudan plans to hold the country’s first-ever general elections in December after persistent insecurity and political instability resulted in several postponements. Election officials face significant logistical challenges that will likely be exacerbated by growing tensions between the ruling Sudan People’s Liberation Movement and the rival Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-in-Opposition.