Ethiopia Declares State of Emergency Following Clashes in Amhara Region Ethiopia's government announced a state of emergency on Friday, August 4th, 2023, following days of clashes between the military and local Fano militiamen in the Amhara region.

The fighting, which started earlier in the week, quickly escalated into the country's most serious security crisis since the civil war in the neighboring Tigray region ended last year.

The state of emergency was declared by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's office, but it is unclear whether it applies only to the Amhara region or the entire country. The government's official statement did not provide clarification on this matter.

The declaration of the state of emergency grants the Ethiopian government the power to impose a curfew, ban public gatherings, and make arrests without warrants. These measures are deemed necessary to regain control and restore order in the face of the escalating violence.

The clashes in the Amhara region were sparked by a disputed plan to integrate the regional security forces into the national army. The Fano militia, which had been a key ally of the Ethiopian National Defense Force (ENDF) during the Tigray war, opposed this move.

Activists claim that weakening the regional paramilitary groups has left Amhara vulnerable to attacks from neighboring regions. Residents of Gondar, the second-largest city in Amhara, reported intense fighting near the university.

While ENDF initially controlled the university, they were pushed back by Fano militia. However, it remains unclear why the military withdrew from the university. A Fano member claimed that the militiamen were attempting to encircle the capital city, Bahir Dar, and had captured Merawi, a town south of Bahir Dar.

These claims could not be independently verified. As a result of the escalating violence, the United States and Canada have advised their citizens in Amhara to shelter in place. Mobile internet services in the region remain down, and Ethiopian Airlines has canceled flights to three out of the four airports in Amhara.

The clashes and subsequent state of emergency highlight the ongoing tensions between regional and federal authorities in Ethiopia. Prime Minister Abiy has attempted to centralize power in the country since coming to office in 2018. However, this has led to protests and conflicts rooted in ethnic and regional grievances.

The Ethiopian government's declaration of a state of emergency underscores its commitment to restoring peace and stability in the Amhara region. However, the situation remains volatile, and further steps will be necessary to address the underlying tensions and foster unity in the nation.