(AFP) - Ethiopia's federal government on Friday declared a "state of emergency" as violent clashes escalate between the national army and local fighters from the northern region of Amhara. The statement did not make clear if the state of emergency applied nationwide or just to Amhara, which lies to the north of the capital Addis Ababa. Clashes in Amhara between the national army and local fighters have escalated in recent weeks, prompting travel warnings from foreign governments and the cancellation of flights by the national carrier Ethiopian Airlines. The government said the violence "endangered the constitutional order" and the decision to invoke a state of emergency was "unanimous". The prime minister said integrating these fighters into the national army or regional police would bolster "unity" in multi-ethnic Ethiopia but the move sparked protests in Amhara.

Source: Ethiopian News August 04, 2023 11:55 UTC