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Authorities in the capital Addis Ababa told residents to prepare to defend their neighbourhoods.(AP)
Ethiopia has declared a six-month state of emergency after forces from the northern region of Tigray said they were gaining territory and considering marching on the capital Addis Ababa.
Key points:• Authorities in Ethiopia’s capital told residents to register their arms and prepare to defend their neighbourhoods• The Tigray People’s Liberation Front claimed to have captured several towns in recent days • Anyone violating the emergency could face three to 10 years in prison
The state of emergency was imposed on Tuesday with immediate effect.
The Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) claimed to have captured several towns in recent days and said it might march on the capital Addis Ababa.
“Our country is facing a grave danger to its existence, sovereignty and unity,” Justice Minister GedionTimothewos told a state media briefing.
“And we can’t dispel this danger through the usual law enforcement systems and procedures.”
He said anyone violating the emergency would face three to 10 years in prison, for offences such as providing financial, material or moral support to “terrorist groups”.
State-affiliated media Fana Broadcasting Corporate said lawmakers are expected to approve the state of emergency within 24 hours.
The announcement came shortly after authorities in Addis Ababa told residents to register their arms and prepare to defend their neighbourhoods against the TPLF.
“Residents can gather in their locality and safeguard their surroundings,” it said.
“Those who have weapons but can’t take part in safeguarding their surroundings are advised to hand over the weapon to the government or their close relatives or friends.”
Towns captured
The TPLF has claimed the capture of the towns of Dessie, Kombolcha and Burka, all in the Amhararegion, in recent days.
A government spokesperson disputed the capture of Dessie and and Kombolcha but later released a statement saying TPLF “infiltrators” had killed 100 youths in Kombolcha.
Spokespeople for the government, military and the Amhara region did not return calls seeking further comment.
What led to this?
The conflict started over the night of November 3, 2020, when forces loyal to the TPLF — including some soldiers — seized military bases in Tigray, a northern region.
In response, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed sent more troops there.
The TPLF had dominated national politics for nearly three decades but lost much influence when Mr Abiytook office in 2018 following years of anti-government protests.
Relations with the TPLF soured after they accused him of centralising power at the expense of Ethiopia’s regional states — an accusation Mr Abiy denies.
The TPLF accused Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed of centralisingpower.(AP: Mulugeta Ayene)
The conflict has plunged around 400,000 people in Tigray into famine, killed thousands of civilians and forced more than 2.5 million people in the north to flee their homes.
Ethiopia last imposed a state of emergency in February 2018 for six months ahead of the transition of power to Mr Abiy.
Curfews were enforced and people’s movements restricted, while thousands of people were detained.
US issues a threat
US President Joe Biden’s administration on Tuesday accused Ethiopia of “gross violations of internationally recognised human rights”.
The administration said that as a result, it planned to remove the country from the African Growth and Opportunity Act trade agreement which gives it duty-free access to the United States.
Washington had warned Ethiopia for months that it risked losing its trade access, US Horn of Africa envoy Jeffrey Feltman said, adding that there was still “a bit of time” for Ethiopia to act to avert the move.
Ethiopia’s trade ministry said it was extremely disappointed” by the US move and called for a reversal by January.
“The Ethiopian government takes all human rights allegations seriously: we are looking at them and conducting investigations and we are committed to ensuring accountability,” it said.
abc.net.au
