The House of Representatives has voted for an extension of the state of emergency, primarily affecting the Amhara region, for an additional four months. This decision came during a special session held on Friday, February 02, 2024, following an initial approval on August 2023. The extension was deemed necessary to continue addressing public peace and security concerns under Emergency Proclamation No. 6/2023.
During the same session, the decision to prolong the emergency period was reached with a majority vote, featuring two dissenting votes and three abstentions. National broadcaster ETV highlighted the need for the extension, citing unfinished tasks that necessitate continued emergency measures. The meeting also saw the approval of an extension for the term of the Emergency Proclamation Implementation Investigation Board, despite two opposing votes.
The initial imposition of the state of emergency by the Federal Government’s Council of Ministers was in response to escalating unrest in the Amhara region. The Council of Ministers ratified the emergency measure on August 6, 2023, which was subsequently declared by the House of People’s Representatives, in an emergency session while on vacation, on August 16, 2023
Highlighting the severity of the situation, the Council of Ministers noted that armed illegal activities had escalated to a point beyond the control of regular law enforcement, necessitating the decree. The state of emergency, aimed at addressing the significant security issues in the Amhara region since mid-last year, is to be applied in Amhara and, as necessary, across the country.
I am terribly disheartened by this news. Extension of the state of emergency means further deaths and destruction for much ado about nothing. When will we learn from so many both Mother Nature’s and man-made calamities we had to go through since 1974? Just recently during the two year stupid war from 2020 to 2022 we lost close to a million citizens and no one is held accountable for the senseless death and destruction. In my book I’m holding all factions responsible for that. It was in Tigray then and now it is the turn of Amhara and Oromia regions. I am holding all factions responsible for the deaths and destruction happening in these two regions now and henceforth. This renders me utterly devastated and guides me to seek refuge in The Almighty Our Creator, The Merciful!!! Let’s all get down on our knees and pray for that gem of humanity.
Here we are still caught up with pushing war and destruction while millions are starving and face inevitable deadly famine. We are beating the drums of war from our comfy homes while innocent citizens are dying from starvation. People can die from diseases like cancer or epidemics and their deaths can be agonizing. People dying from starvation take their last breath after going through a slow and the most agonizing deaths of all. It is confirmed that about 400 people, adults and children have now died from starvation already with much higher number of deaths to follow. I’m holding the leaders of Tigray, Amhara regions along with leaders of armed groups in Amhara, Oromia and the top echelon of the federal government responsible for every death from this avoidable famine. There will not be an iota of excuse for this tragedy.
Your Excellency Prime Minster Abiy; Citizens are dying from starvation under your watch. H.E. Regional President of Tigray Getachew Reda; This is happening under your watch. I will be holding you both responsible for every Allah blessed human life lost to starvation. What you are doing and behaving in light of this deadly calamity is utterly irresponsible and criminal. I’m not buying your diatribe trying to pass the buck. ‘He did it, not me’ ain’t gonna flying with me or the watchful global public. People are dying from starvation in your backyard and you go home to gobble down your choice filet mignon? I can see you both where you waist line is busting at it seams. You are sending your children to schools well fed while another child die crying from starvation? You may try playing with words to call it drought or lack of food but the reality is citizens are dying because of lack of food for no fault of their own. Damn, damn, damn, damned you two!!! Damn, damn, damned you two!!!!! Damn you!!!!