Ethiopia’s Council of Ministers is declaring a state of emergency in the country’s Amhara region after authorities pleaded for help as clashes intensify there between regional forces and the military.
The prime minister’s office announced the decision on Friday after the region’s leader said regular law enforcement was no longer able to contain the violence. The declaration needs approval from Parliament.
“The threat the activity is imposing on national security and public peace is increasing day by day,” the declaration said, noting severe economic damage as well and blaming “armed extremist groups.”
Ethiopia’s second most populous region has been gripped by instability since April, when federal authorities moved to disarm Amhara’s security forces following the end of the devastating two-year war in the neighbouring Tigray region.
Authorities last year also tried to dismantle the informal Amhara militia known as Fano.
This week, residents have reported fighting across the Amhara region as militia members attacked army units and protesters blocked roads.
Flights to two popular tourist towns, Lalibela and Gondar, have been suspended. Internet access has been affected. A state of emergency likely means restrictions on movement and increased powers of detention.
The United States and Canada advised their citizens in Amhara to shelter in place.
Mobile internet remained down in the region, residents said. Ethiopian Airlines (ETHA.UL) had cancelled flights to three of the four airports it flies to in Amhara, an airline spokesperson said.
Violent protests erupted across Amhara in April after Abiy ordered that security forces from Ethiopia’s 11 regions be combined with the police or national army.
Protesters said the order was meant to weaken Amhara. The federal government denied this and said the objective was ensuring national unity.
