Heavy battles and unrest have continued in Ethiopia’s Amhara region between government troops and local Fano militias, who have refused to be integrated into the federal army, as stipulated in the Pretoria peace agreement.
According to local reports, the fighting occurred on Sunday, in historic city, Gondar, with the Fano militias invading the city and causing intense clashes with the army.
Following a statement published on Facebook, an official of the Ethiopian National Defense Forces (ENDF) confirmed the clashes, adding that government security forces foiled the militia attacks killing more than 50 people.
Clashes have also been reported in other places in the region, with activists and media linked to the militias saying they have taken control of some areas and captured dozens of soldiers.
Numerous drone strikes have been reported in several areas in the recent weeks.
Due to the fighting, the Tana conference which is an annual high-level peace conference, scheduled for October in the region’s capital, Bahir Dar has been postponed to April next year, citing “unforeseen circumstances”.
Meanwhile, the Ethiopian Human Rights Council, an independent human rights body, accused the authorities of continuing arbitrary arrests in the capital Addis Ababa, which began after the state of emergency was proclaimed in August.
Chioma Kalu
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