The federal government has tried to centralise security powers after the end of a devastating two-year conflict in the country’s Tigray region, where Amhara regional forces and militia were key allies of the federal military. Now, however, Amhara residents, who were badly affected in that conflict, accuse the federal government of trying to undermine their region. Ethiopia’s intelligence chief and the official overseeing the state of emergency, Temesgen Tiruneh, acknowledged that irregular Amhara forces had taken control of towns, released inmates from prisons and seized government institutions. “These forces have the desire and goal of dismantling the regional government and then moving on the federal system,” Temesgen said. Residents said the informal Amhara militia known as Fano now controls Gondar and Lalibela, which are the main tourist towns.

Source: Ethiopian News August 07, 2023 13:18 UTC