By Ebi Kesiena
In the wake of protests against the dismantling of regional military forces across Ethiopia, the government has imposed restrictions on nightlife and meetings in three major cities in Ethiopia’s Amhara region, including the most populous Gondar.
According to statement issued by the municipal authorities of Gondar, Dessie and Debre Birhan, the restrictions are being imposed by the military “command posts” in each city, implying that security there is now in the hands of the federal army.
A resident of Dessie town, one of the areas that witnessed some of the most violent clashes stated on Tuesday that unrest had largely receded.
“There was occasional shooting in the morning but I think it was to disperse them [the protesters]. Now the shooting has stopped but roads are still closed,” the resident said.
Also, similar developments were observed in Bahir Dar, the capital city of the Amhara region. Independent Ethiopian analyst Alemnew Mekonnen stated that the anger observed on Tuesday had subsided.
“Now things are calming down. Yesterday, there was a big demonstration in different areas. There was a mess yesterday but now, from all sides, things are calming down,” Mekonnen said.
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s federal government recently announced that it had begun the process of reassigning members of the military forces that have been gradually built up over the past 15 years by some regional states to the federal army or the police. Termed “special forces” in Ethiopia, these unconstitutional military units were tolerated until now.
Incidents have occurred in Amhara, where the “special forces” are powerful and provided crucial assistance to the federal army during its conflict with the rebel authorities in the Tigray region between late 2020 and late 2022.
In all three cities, motorized tricycles are now prohibited from travelling at night, and bars and nightclubs must close at 9 p.m. Strikes are prohibited and all meetings must be reported to the authorities.
It is also forbidden to carry a weapon or any object that can be used as a weapon,“knife, machete or iron bar” in particular, to set off firecrackers and fireworks, or to wear any military clothing.
Members of the special forces are also ordered to assemble in designated areas.
