ETHIOPIA has declared a state of emergency after forces from the northern region of Tigray said they were gaining territory and considering marching on the capital, Addis Ababa.
The declaration came as Joe Biden accused the government of “gross violations of internationally recognised human rights” and said he was removing Ethiopia from a key U.S. trade programme.
He said the move will clear the way for further economic sanctions over its failure to end the nearly year-long conflict.
Jeffrey Feltman, the U.S. special envoy for the Horn of Africa, warned that the U.S. would take further measures against the Abiy government within days rather than weeks if it does not end the conflict.
He said: “We can proceed down one path that inevitably leads to sanctions and other measures or we can go down another path where we can revitalise the partnership that started when Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed took office. The U.S. wants the latter.”
“Prolonging the war, dodging genuine negotiations to lead to de-escalation and a ceasefire, and refusing unhindered humanitarian access to avert catastrophe are actions that are taking Ethiopia [in] a dangerous direction,” he said.
The announcement of the state of emergency came two days after the prime minister urged citizens to take up arms to defend themselves from the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF).
Earlier yesterday, authorities in Addis Ababa told residents to register their arms and prepare to defend their neighbourhoods.
The state of emergency was imposed after the TPLF claimed to have captured several towns in recent days and said it was considering marching on Addis Ababa, about 380km (235 miles) to the south of
The city administration said people should register their weapons and gather in their neighbourhoods.
“Residents can gather in their locality and safeguard their surroundings,” it said. “Those who have weapons but can’t take part in safeguarding their surroundings are advised to hand over the weapon to the government or their close relatives or friends.”
The governments of four of the country’s 10 regions also called upon Ethiopians to mobilise to fight against the Tigrayan forces, state-affiliated Fana TV said.