The Ethiopian government had on Friday, August 4, declared a six-month state of emergency in Amhara, the country’s second-biggest region, after days of conflict between the military and the local Fano militiamen.
This means that curfews will now be imposed, movement(s) restricted, carrying of guns and other sharp objects will be banned, arrests and searches would be conducted without warrants and gatherings will be banned.
The clashes that broke out earlier this week had immediately become Ethiopia’s most serious security crisis, since the two-year civil war in Tigray region, which neighbouring region, Amhara, terminated in November 2022.
Recall that Amhara’s regional government had sought additional help from federal authorities on Thursday, August 3 to reimpose the order.
This current unrest is the latest streak of chaos to hit the second most populous country after Nigeria, since President Abiy was sworn into office in 2018.
According to the Government Communication Service the authorities could also shut down or limit the media outlets it judges to be working contrary to the emergency orders.
The state of emergency declaration applied to only Amhara for now, but it could be imposed in other areas if necessary.
