The declaration of a state of emergency in Ethiopia's Amhara region underscores the escalating violence between local ethnic militias, notably the Fano, and the national army, The Guardian reported on August 4.
The Amhara leader's inability to quell the surge in violence prompted the council of ministers to enact the state of emergency due to mounting threats to public security and economic stability. Announced on August 4 by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's office, the emergency declaration cites rising threats to public security and substantial economic harm from "armed extremist factions."
As clashes between the Fano militia and military units escalate, towns in Amhara have witnessed widespread disruption, with protests, roadblocks, and clashes leaving an unknown number of casualties. International travel advisories, cancelled flights, and Internet blackouts highlight the gravity of the situation. With officials fleeing, internet access curtailed, and civilian areas affected by artillery, the unrest underscores the challenge of maintaining order. The plea for assistance from the Amhara regional president and the deputy prime minister's call for peaceful resolution reveal internal concerns, while the state of emergency reflects the gravity of the crisis.
Ethiopia's recent history of conflict, including the Tigray conflict that ended in 2022, demonstrates the fragile stability of the region, with various ethnic and political tensions surfacing across different territories.
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