State of Emergency declared in Ethiopia’s Amhara region

This decision comes after the Amhara Regional State President, Dr. Yilikal Kefale, called on the federal government to intervene and take measures against the Fano armed group.

“It is essential to take emergency actions to maintain public safety and security and to enforce law and order”, read the statement from the Council of Ministers.

The Council stated that the government has been making repeated calls for peace so that all armed groups follow the path of the law and peace. However, the statement read, the “political, social and economic activities of the region is heavily hampered because of the attacks being carried out by armed extremist groups.”

Yesterday, the President of Amhara Regional State, in a letter addressed to Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, summoned the federal government to act according to the FDRE Constitution.

He said the security crisis is causing major humanitarian, social and economic crisis and the local security structure is no longer capable to put it under control.The Fano militia has grown more powerful and the regional government security forces have proved in capable against it. Reuters said it confirmed from its diplomatic sources that the city of Lalibela is now under the control of Fano. The Ethiopian Airlines has announced the flights to Lalibela and Gonder have been suspended.

Amhara region President summons Federal government to tackle Fano militia