The Ethiopian government has blamed "anti-peace" forces for a grenade attack that killed one and wounded dozens in the northern city of Gondar on 10 January. Both attacks have sparked renewed tensions in the Amhara region, which was rocked by months of anti-government protests in 2016. Protests erupted when members of the Welkait Tegede, who identify themselves as ethnically Amhara – Ethiopia's second largest group – demanded their lands be administered by the Amhara region, instead of the Tigray state. However, Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn has always maintained security forces had not reacted disproportionately and security forces intervened to quell violence carried out by "anti-peace" instigators. The government, which often blamed "outside forces" including from Eritrea and Egypt for the protests, said it would use the new measures to coordinate security forces against elements that aimed to destabilise the country.

Source: Ethiopian News January 13, 2017 12:31 UTC