Ethiopia’s council of ministers has declared a state of emergency in the Amhara region after its leader said he was no longer able to contain a surge in violence between a local ethnic militia and the army. “Therefore, the council of ministers has to declare a state of emergency in order to fulfil the responsibilities imposed by the constitution,” it said. Violence has flared across Amhara over a disputed plan to absorb regional security forces into the national army. The state of emergency announced on Friday must be approved by parliament within 15 days or it will be repealed. Ethiopia last declared a state of emergency in November 2021, at the height of the Tigray conflict.

Source: Ethiopian News August 04, 2023 15:23 UTC