2023 Ethiopian state of emergency

A six-month state of emergency was declared on 4 August 2023 by the Ethiopian government in response to severe conflict and instabilities in Amhara Region after the Amhara militia Fano and the Ethiopian National Defense Force (ENDF) clashed in several locations in the region on 1 August.[1] On 3 August, the Amhara Region government requested additional help to the federal troops. The fighting is the most serious security crisis since the Tigray War.[2][3]

2023 Ethiopian state of emergency
Date4 August 2023 – 4 February 2024
LocationEthiopia
Cause2023 Fano–ENDF clashes
OutcomeOngoing

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed stated on the declaration issue that "it was found necessary to declare a state of emergency as it had become difficult to control this outrageous activity based on the regular legal system." The state of emergency restrictions include a ban on public gatherings, warrantless arrests, as well as imposing of curfew. Internet access has been blocked and Ethiopian Airlines flights to Gondar and Lalibela have been cancelled until the ENDF military retook the towns after a week since the start of the clash.[2][4][5]

Aftermath

Following their control of Amhara towns, the Ethiopian parliament issued arbitrary arrest and searches for civilians without warrant on 13 August. The Ethiopian Federal Police arrested hundred people in Addis Ababa. The measure was criticized by the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission stating "there has been widespread arrest of civilians who are of ethnic Amhara origin." Many activists called out the arbitrary arrest, saying it was targeted to ethnic Amharas. Suspects were captivated in schools, police stations and temporary detention centers after moving to streets.[6]

References
  1. Endeshaw, Dawit (2023-08-04). "Ethiopia declares six-month state of emergency in Amhara after clashes". Reuters. Retrieved 2023-08-04.
  2. Endeshaw, Dawit (2023-08-04). "Ethiopia declares Amhara state of emergency following militia clashes". Reuters. Retrieved 2023-08-04.
  3. "Ethiopia declares state of emergency amid Amhara clashes – DW – 08/04/2023". dw.com. Retrieved 2023-08-04.
  4. "Ethiopia declares state of emergency following clashes in Amhara". www.aljazeera.com. Retrieved 2023-08-04.
  5. "Ethiopia declares a state of emergency in Amhara amid increasing violence". The Guardian. 4 August 2023. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2023-08-04.
  6. "Lawyers and witnesses say Ethiopian police have arrested hundreds during state of emergency". AP News. 2023-08-14. Retrieved 2023-08-14.
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