The Ethiopian Parliament will hold an emergency meeting next Monday August 14, 2023 after Tagesse Chaffo, the speaker, called members from recess today to approve the state of emergency declared in the restive Amhara region last week.
Last week, the Council of Ministers approved a state of emergency in Amhara citing instability and armed violence in the region. The decree was made effective immediately after the Council’s approval but still needs parliament’s endorsement within two weeks to remain active.
The speaker’s call for the emergency parliamentary session came during the representatives’ recess period, a time when the speaker can convene parliament to discuss urgent national matters.
The state of emergency, if approved by parliament, will give powers to security forces to restore order and stability in the region that has seen fighting between the Amhara Fano militia and the Ethiopian National Defense Forces (ENDF) since last month.
