A senior Ethiopian official accused the Fano militia in the Amhara region of trying to overthrow the local and federal government after days of fighting that prompted authorities to declare a state of emergency.
Clashes Continue Between Militias and Ethiopian Army
Over the weekend, clashes continued between the militias and the Ethiopian army. Residents of Gondar, the second largest city in the Amhara region, said heavy weapons fire that began on Sunday continued until Monday morning.
Ethiopia’s Most Serious Security Crisis Since Tigray Civil War
The fighting has quickly turned into Ethiopia’s most serious security crisis since a two-year civil war in the neighboring Tigray region ended last November.
Militias Capture Towns and Areas
Teskin Trona, director general of the Ethiopian National Intelligence Service tasked with overseeing the imposition of the state of emergency, acknowledged that the militias were able to capture some towns and areas.
Militias Aim to Overthrow Local and Federal Government
“This predatory force is acting with the intent to overthrow the local government by force and then move towards the federal system,” he said in a speech to the state-owned Ethiopian Broadcasting Corporation Fana late Sunday evening.
State of Emergency Declared
The declaration of a state of emergency empowers security agencies to impose curfews, impose restrictions on movement, prohibit the carrying of weapons and sharp instruments, prevent mass gatherings, and conduct arrests and searches without a court order.
Arrests Made to Quell Unrest
Government spokesman Heritage Tolo said on Saturday that authorities have already started arresting those who are instigating the unrest.
Fano Militia’s Background
The Fano militia is made up of part-time volunteers from the local population and was allied with the Ethiopian National Defense Force during the Tigray War.
Tensions Rise between Federal Authorities and Paramilitaries
But relations later soured due to recent attempts by the federal authorities to break the power of the paramilitaries in the country.
Amhara Region Vulnerable to Attacks
Some activists say this has left the Amhara region vulnerable to attacks from neighboring regions.
Protests Erupt in Amhara Region
Violent protests broke out in the region last April after Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed ordered the integration of security forces in 11 regions of the country into the ranks of the police or the national army.
Government Denies Undermining Security of Amhara Region
The demonstrators accused the government of trying to undermine the security of the Amhara region, but the federal government denied this and said that the goal was to ensure national unity.
