Ethiopia: Authorities impose restrictions on nightlife in Amhara over protests

Restrictions on nightlife and conferences have been imposed Monday in three main cities in Ethiopia’s Amhara area, together with essentially the most populous, Gondar, within the wake of protests in opposition to the dismantling of regional army forces throughout Ethiopia.

In accordance with related statements issued by the municipal authorities of Gondar, Dessie and Debre Birhan, the restrictions are being imposed by the army “command posts” in every metropolis, implying that safety there may be now within the fingers of the federal military.

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s federal authorities not too long ago introduced that it had begun the method of reassigning members of the army forces which were steadily constructed up over the previous 15 years by some regional states to the federal military or the police.

Referred to as “particular forces” in Ethiopia, these unconstitutional army models have been tolerated till now.

Incidents have occurred in Amhara, the place the “particular forces” are highly effective and offered essential help to the federal military throughout its battle with the insurgent authorities within the Tigray area between late 2020 and late 2022.

In all three cities, motorized tricycles at the moment are prohibited from travelling at night time, and bars and nightclubs should shut at 9 p.m. Strikes are prohibited and all conferences should be reported to the authorities.

It’s also forbidden to hold a weapon or any object that can be utilized as a weapon – “knife, machete or iron bar” specifically -, to set off firecrackers and fireworks, or to put on any army clothes.

Members of the “particular forces” are additionally ordered to assemble in designated areas.