Photo : Ben Curtis, AP
NIAS Area Studies
AFRICA MONITOR
Photo : Ben Curtis, AP
IN BRIEF
by Anu Maria Joseph
Ethiopia: Protests in Amhara amid government’s plan to dissolve the regional force
On 10 April, BBC reported on continuing protests in Ethiopia’s Amhara region for the fifth consecutive day against the government’s decision to dissolve the Amhara regional force. The previous week, the federal government announced that it wants the special forces to be integrated into the federal army or police force to protect the borders and to fight rebels. However, the protesters claimed that the decision would make them vulnerable to attacks by neighbouring regions. Later, a partial curfew was imposed in the region after the protests turned violent. On 9 April, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said that the government will go ahead with the plan even if “a price had to be paid.” (“Ethiopia's Amhara region hit by protests over move to dissolve regional forces,” BBC, 10 April 2023)