Ethiopia Declares State of Emergency in Amhara Region Amidst Clashes with Militia
ADDIS ABABA – The Ethiopian government announced a six-month state of emergency on Friday in the Amhara region, the country’s second-largest region, following several days of clashes between the military and local Fano militiamen. This move grants the government additional powers to enforce curfews, restrict movement, and ban gatherings.
The recent violence marks Ethiopia’s most significant security crisis since the conclusion of the two-year civil war in the neighboring Tigray region in November. In response to the escalating situation, Amhara’s regional government requested assistance from federal authorities to restore order.
The state of emergency was imposed due to the difficulty of controlling the escalating violence through regular legal means, as stated by the Prime Minister’s office. Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate for his peace efforts with Eritrea, has been facing a series of challenges since taking office in 2018.
Under the state of emergency, the government has the authority to impose curfews, restrict movement, ban the carrying of weapons, suspend public gatherings, and conduct arrests and searches without warrants. Media outlets deemed to be operating contrary to the emergency orders may also face closure or limitations on their activities.
While the state of emergency currently applies to the Amhara region, the government indicated that it could be expanded to other areas if necessary. The Fano militiamen were previously allied with the Ethiopian National Defense Force during the Tigray conflict. However, tensions have mounted due to the federal government’s recent attempts to weaken regional paramilitary groups, leaving Amhara vulnerable to attacks from neighboring regions.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed concerns about the situation in Amhara during a call with Prime Minister Abiy on Friday. Both parties discussed establishing a humanitarian aid distribution system to allow food aid to resume, following concerns of diversion that prompted the United States to suspend assistance to Ethiopia in June.
Reports of intense fighting near Gondar’s university were shared by two residents of Amhara’s second-largest city. Although the Ethiopian National Defense Force initially gained control of the university, they were pushed back by Fano militiamen. A Fano member claimed that the militiamen were attempting to encircle Amhara’s capital, Bahir Dar.
The Ethiopian government has not responded to requests for comments on the situation. However, Education Minister Berhanu Nega confirmed disruptions to national exams, with 16,000 students in Gondar unable to take their exams due to the ongoing unrest.
Mobile internet services remained down in the region, and Ethiopian Airlines canceled flights to three out of four airports in Amhara. Violent protests erupted in April after the integration of regional security forces into the national army, leading to claims that the order aimed to weaken Amhara. The federal government denies these allegations, stating that the objective is to ensure national unity.
Since taking office, Prime Minister Abiy has sought to centralize power in a country with autonomous regions. The conflict in Tigray highlighted tensions between regional and federal authority, as well as historical grievances between ethnic groups. The war resulted in a considerable loss of life and forced millions to flee their homes.