This archive report was first published on 2 November 2021.
November 2, 2021, marked a turning point in Ethiopia's escalating conflict as the government declared a state of emergency in response to the rapid advance of rebel forces from the Tigray region towards the capital, Addis Ababa.
The Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF), who have been fighting the government for over a year, have joined forces with another rebel group, further complicating the situation. Foreign officials monitoring the conflict have reported signs of several Ethiopian army units collapsing or retreating.
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, a Nobel Peace Prize winner, has seen his international reputation battered by the war, which has led to reports of human rights violations, massacres, and famine. The state of emergency, which will last six months, grants Mr. Abiy sweeping powers to arrest and detain critics, impose curfews, and restrict the news media.
Announcing the measures in a televised news conference, Ethiopia's justice minister, Gedion Timothewos, stated that any citizen over 18 could be called into the fight. The government has also called on citizens to hand over their weapons to the authorities.
As the situation in Addis Ababa continues to deteriorate, residents are expressing mixed reactions. While some, like taxi driver Dereje, have pledged to join the fight, others, such as a teacher who wished to remain anonymous, have lost faith in the government and are worried about the consequences.
President Biden has threatened to impose sanctions on Ethiopia unless it moves towards peace talks. The US has also revoked trade privileges to Ethiopia, including duty-free access to the United States, due to 'gross violations of internationally recognized human rights.'
