An explosion in the town of Finote Selam in northwestern Ethiopia has resulted in the tragic death of at least 26 individuals. The incident occurred amidst intense clashes between government forces and a local militia group. Alongside the fatalities, approximately 50 people sustained injuries in the explosion that took place on Sunday, as reported by Manaye Tenaw, the CEO of Finote Selam General Hospital. However, these figures solely pertain to individuals treated at the hospital, and the overall count of casualties remains uncertain. In the lead-up to the explosion, the hospital had already provided medical assistance to over 160 individuals, reflecting the escalation of conflict between government forces and the local militia called Fano across the Amhara region earlier in the month.
The Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has voiced profound concern regarding the intensified confrontations between the two factions, which commenced on August 3. This escalation follows months of mounting tension and sporadic clashes, according to a statement released by EHRC on Monday.
Amidst escalating clashes, the Ethiopian government declared a six-month state of emergency in the Amhara region on August 4. The conflict has pitted the government against the Fano militia, which was once an ally during the two-year conflict against Tigrayan forces that concluded in November of the previous year. However, recent months have witnessed a rift between the two entities after the Fano militia resisted the federal government's attempt to dissolve regional forces. Amhara nationalists argue that this dissolution could compromise regional security.
The Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has documented heavy fighting across the Amhara region, involving the use of heavy artillery that has resulted in civilian casualties. Cities and towns such as Debre Birhan, Finote Selam, and Burie have been subject to strikes and shelling, leading to significant harm to residential areas and public spaces. Similar reports have emerged from the regional capital, Bahir Dar, and its second largest city, Gondar. Additionally, the commission highlighted a pattern of widespread arrests of ethnic Amhara civilians in the national capital, Addis Ababa.
The Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC) emphasized that although heavy fighting has diminished in major urban areas since August 9, 2023, it continues to persist in other parts of the region. The EHRC underscored that this ongoing conflict remains a significant worry until a lasting and effective solution is established.
The United Nations issued a statement on Friday, urging all parties involved to uphold human rights and to take measures to deescalate the situation. The UN noted that previous instances of states of emergency have been accompanied by human rights violations.
Several countries, including Australia, Japan, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America, jointly expressed concern over civilian casualties. They called upon all parties to prioritize civilian protection, respect human rights, and collaborate to address complex challenges through peaceful means.