Catholic Relief Services (CRS) has reported that two aid workers have been killed in Ethiopia’s Amhara region amidst civil unrest. The charity stated that security manager Chuol Tongyik and driver Amare Kindeya were fatally “shot and killed” while travelling from Amhara to the capital, Addis Ababa on Sunday. While unrest gripped several towns in Amhara throughout the weekend, the government announced plans to disband regional special forces units, which it claims pose a threat to the country’s security. CRS director of communications, Kim Pozniak, reported heavy artillery fire in the town of Kobo between federal military and Amhara regional forces, however, details of the incident remain unknown.
Protests and gun battles persisted in Amhara, with demonstrations erupting in other areas, such as roadblocks and the burning of tires in the streets. As a result, the government imposed a curfew and shut off internet service in multiple locations. The Amhara government has also banned protests in Gondar, imposed restrictions on three-wheeled vehicle circulation, and ordered bars to close at 9 pm.
Amhara politicians and activists have denounced the government’s decision, which will require special forces from each of Ethiopia’s 11 regions to integrate into the police or federal army. The disbandment of Amhara’s special forces would leave the region vulnerable to attacks from neighbouring regions such as Tigray, whose leaders agreed to a truce with the federal government in November 2021 to end a two-year war that killed tens of thousands. Amhara forces fought alongside the federal army in that conflict.
Ethiopia has a history of interethnic conflict, and Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed believes that integrating the regional special forces will ensure national unity. However, many Amharas feel betrayed by the federal government’s failure to protect their region during the 2021 conflict and stop attacks against ethnic Amharas by gunmen in Ethiopia’s biggest region, Oromia. They claim they will be left unprotected if their regional force is dismantled.
CRS country representative in Ethiopia, Zemede Zewdie, expressed his “shock and sorrow” and stated that the organisation was “angered over this senseless violence.” While federal states have the right to run a police force, several have developed strong regional security forces. Prime Minister Ahmed has warned that those who play a “destructive role” will face appropriate law enforcement measures.
