Ethiopia declares a six-month State of Emergency

Ethiopia has declared a nationwide state of emergency after fears that the TPLF could advance to the capital Addis Ababa. The government had earlier urged people in the capital Addis Ababa to arm themselves, as rebels from the northern Tigray region advance to the south.

“The state of emergency is aimed to protect civilians from atrocities being committed by the terrorist TPLF group in several parts of the country,” Fana Broadcasting Corporate reported, referring to the Tigray People’s Liberation Front.

Earlier on Tuesday, officials ordered Addis Ababa residents to register their firearms and prepare to defend their neighbourhoods.

Tigrayan fighters had recently captured the strategic towns of Dessie and Kombolcha in the neighbouring Amhara region.

The deepening crisis prompted the US embassy in Ethiopia to urge any Americans currently in the country to pack up and leave, while barring its own personnel from leaving the capital.

“US Embassy personnel are currently restricted from traveling outside of Addis Ababa city limits. We strongly suggest that US citizens seriously reconsider travel to Ethiopia and those who are currently in Ethiopia consider making preparations to leave the country,” the mission said in a statement.

The US also announced plans to remove Ethiopia from its trade benefits list, which provided duty-free access to the American market. In a letter to Congress, President Joe Biden suggested the move, citing concerns over democracy and human rights in the east African country.