Ethiopia’s parliament has voted to prolong a state of emergency in the northern region of Amhara for another four months, citing ongoing violence and instability. The move comes amid accusations of human rights violations by government forces and a local militia group.
A simmering conflict
The conflict in Amhara erupted in July 2023, when a militia group called Fano, which claims to defend the region’s interests and security, clashed with federal troops. The militia accused the government of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed of undermining Amhara’s autonomy and failing to protect it from threats from neighboring regions, such as Tigray and Oromiya.
The government, which declared a state of emergency in August 2023, said it was responding to an armed rebellion that threatened the constitutional order and national unity. Since then, government forces have regained control of major cities, but fighting has continued in rural areas and smaller towns.
The state of emergency gives the government sweeping powers to impose curfews, restrict movement, ban public gatherings, and arrest suspects without warrants. It also suspends some civil and political rights, such as freedom of expression, assembly, and association.
A humanitarian crisis
The conflict in Amhara has resulted in hundreds of deaths, thousands of displacements, and a worsening humanitarian situation. According to the United Nations, more than 1.7 million people in Amhara need urgent assistance, including food, water, health, and protection.
The state-appointed Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has documented a range of alleged abuses in the region, mostly attributed to government forces. These include drone strikes, house-to-house searches, arbitrary arrests, torture, and extrajudicial killings of civilians.
The government has not responded to specific allegations of abuses in Amhara but said in November that an EHRC report on the subject lacked balance and objectivity. It also accused the Fano militia of committing atrocities, such as massacres, kidnappings, and looting.
A regional impact
The conflict in Amhara is not the only challenge facing Ethiopia, Africa’s second-most populous country and a key regional ally of the West. The country is still recovering from a two-year civil war in Tigray, which ended in November 2022 with a peace deal that left many issues unresolved.
The war in Tigray, which killed tens of thousands of people and displaced millions more, also strained Ethiopia’s relations with neighboring countries, such as Sudan and Eritrea, and sparked international condemnation and sanctions.
Ethiopia is also locked in a dispute with Egypt and Sudan over a giant hydroelectric dam on the Nile River, which the downstream countries fear will affect their water supply and security. The talks over the dam have stalled, raising the risk of a military confrontation.
A hope for peace
Despite the multiple crises facing Ethiopia, there is still hope for a peaceful and democratic future. The country is preparing for general elections in May 2024, which could offer a chance for dialogue and reconciliation among the various political and ethnic groups.
Prime Minister Abiy, who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2019 for his efforts to end the conflict with Eritrea, has pledged to hold free and fair elections and to respect the will of the people. He has also called for national unity and dialogue to overcome the challenges facing the country.
The international community, including the African Union, the United Nations, and the European Union, has expressed its support for Ethiopia’s stability and development and urged all parties to the conflicts to respect human rights and international humanitarian law.
Ethiopia, with its rich history, culture, and diversity, has the potential to be a force for good in the region and the world. The people of Ethiopia deserve to live in peace, dignity, and prosperity.
Source: The Herald
