ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia (AP) — Ethiopia's Nobel Peace Prize-winning leader Abiy Ahmed is facing the most serious political challenge of his short rule.

Officials say dozens of people might be dead in two days of unrest caused by tensions between security forces and the country's most prominent opposition figure.

Opposition figure Jawar Mohammed hints to The Associated Press he might raise the stakes by entering next year's election.

But he says holding a vote in these conditions "is the most dangerous thing Ethiopia can do."

Not two weeks have passed since Abiy won the Nobel for sweeping reforms that included welcoming home from exile Mohammed and other opposition figures who had been considered terrorists by the previous government.

Now ethnic tensions are emerging as long-held grievances are aired after the loosening of repressive controls.