The United States has voiced concern over increasing violence in Ethiopia’s Amhara region, where an insurgency has been ongoing since 2023.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken raised these concerns during a call with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.
The Fano militia, defending the Amhara ethnic group, began resisting the federal government in April 2023 after disarmament efforts targeted regional forces.
Despite a state of emergency in August, unrest continues, with federal forces deployed in September.
Blinken emphasized the need for political dialogue to resolve the conflict and prevent further violence.
Tensions are also rising between Ethiopia and Somalia over a coastal deal Ethiopia struck with a breakaway Somali region, which Mogadishu calls illegal.
Prime Minister Abiy recently stated he has “no interest” in war, as Ethiopia, landlocked since 1993, navigates these challenges.
