African Union urges immediate cease-fire in Ethiopia's Amhara region

By Andrew Wasike

NAIROBI, Kenya (AA) – African Union Commission (AUC) on Wednesday urged the conflicting parties in Ethiopia's Amhara region to halt hostilities and ensure the safety of civilians caught in the crossfire.

In a statement, Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat emphasized the urgency of de-escalation for a peaceful dialogue to achieve a lasting solution to the crisis.

He noted that the AU is “following closely and with grave concern the continued military confrontations in the Amhara region of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia.”

He expressed willingness to support inter-Ethiopian initiatives aimed at restoring stability and peace.

The fighting in the Amhara region involves the Ethiopian National Defense Forces (ENDF) and the Fano Militia.

Clashes in the region started in April, triggered by the federal government's integration order that aimed to merge security forces from Ethiopia's 11 regions into the federal forces, but it resulted in violent protests in Amhara.

Local communities resisted the move, expressing fears of losing autonomy and voicing distrust towards outsiders handling security matters in their region. This resistance led to heightened tensions and clashes in the area.

The recent escalation of conflict in the Amhara region between the Ethiopian federal military and the local militia group has deeply affected civilian populations