Ethiopia’s federal government has taken the step of declaring a “state of emergency” on Friday due to the escalating violent clashes between the national army and local fighters hailing from the northern region of Amhara.
In an official statement shared on social media by the office of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, it was communicated that “the declaration of the state of emergency has been necessitated by the challenging circumstances of controlling the escalating and unacceptable unrest under the existing legal framework.”
The precise scope of this state of emergency, whether it applies exclusively to the Amhara region or extends nationwide, remains unclear from the statement.
Responses to queries from AFP regarding this matter were not immediately provided by Abiy’s administration.
The escalating confrontations between the national army and local fighters in Amhara have led to heightened concerns over the past few weeks.
These concerns have prompted foreign governments to issue travel advisories and have even led to the cancellation of flights by the national carrier Ethiopian Airlines.
Tensions have been on the rise since April when the federal government made an announcement about the dissolution of regional forces, including those in Amhara.
This move was met with opposition from nationalists within Amhara, who perceived it as a weakening of Ethiopia’s second most populous region.
On Thursday, local authorities within Amhara sought assistance from the federal government in managing security due to the intensifying challenges in maintaining control.
The ongoing situation was described as causing both social and economic disruptions in the region.
Citing that the violence posed a threat to the constitutional order, the government cited unanimous agreement in the decision to declare a state of emergency.
The heightened tensions are rooted in a historical conflict. While the conflict in the neighboring Tigray region was resolved with a peace agreement in November 2022, the situation in Amhara remains complex.
“Special forces” from Amhara and members of the Fano militia group continue to exert influence over Western Tigray, a region claimed by both Tigray and Amhara.
The announcement by Prime Minister Abiy to incorporate these fighters into the national army or regional police was intended to promote unity in the ethnically diverse Ethiopia. However, this move led to protests within Amhara, reflecting a complex interplay of interests and sentiments.
Ethiopian army spokesman Getnet Adane attributed the violence to fighters linked to the Fano militia group.
This has prompted foreign governments, including the UK, to issue travel advisories warning their citizens against visiting certain parts of Amhara due to the increased violence and Fano’s control.
Given the volatile situation, Ethiopian Airlines suspended flights to Lalibela and Gondar, and local sources reported ongoing clashes on the outskirts of Lalibela.
In response to the situation, Ethiopia’s Deputy Prime Minister Demeke Mekonnen emphasised the urgency of peace and stability, highlighting that the security challenges in various areas of the Amhara region have become deeply concerning.
