The Federal Government of Ethiopia announced a "state of emergency" on Friday in response to the worsening violence in the northern region of Amhara, according to a statement from the office of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.
The statement posted on social media cited the necessity of the declaration, stating that the current laws were inadequate in controlling the unacceptable movement of violence. However, it did not specify whether the state of emergency applied nationwide or exclusively to the Amhara region, situated to the north of the capital, Addis Ababa.
As clashes between the national army and local fighters intensified in Amhara in recent weeks, foreign governments issued travel warnings, and Ethiopian Airlines canceled flights for safety reasons.
Tensions had been escalating since April, when the federal government announced its decision to dismantle regional forces, including those in Amhara. This move sparked discontent among nationalists, who feared that it would weaken Ethiopia's second most populous region.
As the situation remains precarious, the government's response and the extent of the state of emergency's application will be closely monitored by the international community and local observers.
