The Kenyan Embassy in Ethiopia has issued a security alert urging its citizens to exercise caution and avoid hotspots in the country following Ethiopia's declaration of a six-month state of emergency. The announcement came on Friday, August 4, after Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed enacted heightened security measures in response to attacks carried out by armed extremist groups in the Amhara region.

Cautionary Measures for Kenyan Residents

In a notice released on Monday, August 7, the Kenyan embassy in Ethiopia appealed to its citizens residing in the affected region to closely adhere to the guidelines issued by the Ethiopian government during this crisis. The embassy encouraged Kenyan nationals to stay informed about the evolving situation and to maintain contact through the embassy's consular office, email, or phone calls. The state of emergency, initially enacted in Amhara, is being considered for extension to cover other regions, prompting the Kenyan authorities to take proactive measures to ensure the safety of their citizens.

Roots of the State of Emergency

The state of emergency was declared by Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed on Friday, August 4, after clashes erupted between the Amhara security forces (Fano), a local ethnic militia, and the Ethiopian National Defense Force (ENDF). These clashes were a result of Prime Minister Abiy's executive order to disband security forces from the country's 11 regions and integrate them into the police or national army.

Fano, formerly aligned with ENDF, seized control of various towns within the Amhara region, leading to disruptions in everyday activities, including air travel. Flights from Gondar and Lalibela airports were canceled to prevent potential casualties. Ethiopia's regime accused the Amhara militiamen of plotting to forcefully overthrow both the regional and federal governments, emphasizing their intentions to disrupt the established order.

International Concerns and Impact

In response to the escalating situation, several foreign countries, including the United Kingdom and the United States, have issued advisories to their citizens, cautioning against travel to the Amhara region. The Ethiopian crisis has raised concerns globally, and more countries are expected to take preemptive measures to ensure the safety of their citizens.

State of Emergency: Implications and Powers

A state of emergency signifies a national crisis or disaster that prompts a government to suspend regular constitutional procedures in order to safeguard its citizens and navigate through the crisis. In Ethiopia's case, the government granted security forces the authority to prohibit the carrying of firearms and other weapons, restrict public gatherings, implement curfews, and carry out arbitrary arrests. Furthermore, the government could curtail media freedom if it violates emergency directives, thus enabling a controlled flow of information during this tumultuous period.