Ethiopia’s federal government declared a state of emergency in the Amhara region Monday, deploying army units to contain escalating ethnic violence that has killed at least 140 people over the past week. The conflict between Amhara militia groups and Eritrean-backed forces near the northern border has displaced an estimated 45,000 civilians.
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s office said the emergency measures include a dusk-to-dawn curfew in three districts, restrictions on public gatherings, and expanded military arrest authority. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs warned that aid deliveries to affected areas have been blocked by armed checkpoints for six consecutive days.
Local authorities in Gondar and Wollo said at least 23 villages have been burned since May 28. Ethiopian Human Rights Commission chairwoman Hannah Gidey called it “the worst internal displacement crisis since the Tigray war.” Eritrea’s information minister denied any Eritrean military presence in Amhara.
Ethiopia’s Parliament is expected to vote on extending the emergency by 60 days when it reconvenes Thursday. The African Union has called for an immediate cessation of hostilities and pledged a mediation team, though no talks have been scheduled.