Ethiopia is organised in 10 regions that enjoy a degree of autonomy, ranging from having their own regional army to the right to use their own language. Hours before the announcement, local media from the Amhara region, Ethiopia's second largest, reported clashes between national and regional forces brought about by a refusal among Amhara Special Forces' units to surrender weapons as part of the integration process. Political Cartoons on World Leaders View All 208 ImagesGizachew Muluneh, spokesperson for the Amhara region did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Amhara forces backed Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's federal troops against rebellious forces in northern Tigray when conflict erupted there in 2020. In May 2022 the former commander of Amhara region's forces, a prominent critic of Abiy, was arrested alongside local journalists.

Source: Ethiopian News April 06, 2023 21:16 UTC