Eleven Teachers Killed by Gunmen in Amhara Region
PM Abiy Ahmed Invites Nominations for New Tigray Leader
Eleven Teachers Killed by Gunmen in Amhara Region
Gunmen in Merawi district, North Gojjam zone, Amhara region, killed eleven teachers on March 20, accusing them of violating a general strike imposed by the Fano militia. The teachers were kidnapped from their homes in Merawi town and killed after being held captive. The Fano militia had briefly captured Merawi town, and ongoing fighting in nearby rural subdistricts has caused further disruption. Teachers have faced increasing pressure from local authorities to resume teaching, while the Fano rebels have warned against it.
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Invites Nominations for New Tigray Leader
Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has invited residents of Tigray to nominate candidates for a new regional leader, confirming the departure of Tigray Interim Regional Administration (IRA) President, Getachew Reda. Abiy indicated that legal revisions will be made to extend the IRA’s term for one year, as it has not been able to create conditions for regional elections as outlined in the Pretoria Cessation of Hostilities Agreement (CoHA). He did not specify any criteria for candidates or set a deadline for the nominations. Getachew was appointed by Abiy two years ago.
Meanwhile, the faction of the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) led by Debretsion Gebremichael has accused the Federal Government of undermining the Pretoria Cessation of Hostilities Agreement (CoHA) by unilaterally imposing new terms. The TPLF faction claimed that the government was attempting to sabotage peace efforts and manufacture political crises. They also stated that they had nominated General Tadesse Worede, Deputy President of the IRA, to replace Getachew Reda, a decision reportedly accepted by the Federal Government. The TPLF faction views Prime Minister Abiy’s invitation for public nominations as a violation of the CoHA.
HIV Prevalence Rises in Tigray Amid Conflict
HIV prevalence in Tigray has risen significantly since the onset of the war. Previously one of Ethiopia’s lowest at 1.4%, the rate has climbed to 3% in the region, while the rate among displaced persons stands at 5.5%. The increase is largely attributed to the collapse of health services during the war, along with HIV patients’ inability to access antiretroviral treatment and preventive measures such as condoms. Sexual violence, including rape, has also contributed to the rise, with 10% of women and girls aged 15 to 49 reported to have been subjected to abuse. The recent freeze in U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) funding has further exacerbated the crisis, interrupting HIV treatment and testing services.
Amhara Region Training Anti-Riot Militias Amid Renewed Conflict
Authorities in conflict-affected Amhara region are training tens of thousands of anti-riot militias and regular police as part of efforts to maintain peace and security amid ongoing clashes between government troops and the Fano militia. The recruits are being trained at a federal army camp and will be equipped with "military ethics" to help maintain order. This move signals their potential involvement in the ongoing fighting. The Federal Government had previously considered withdrawing Ethiopian National Defence Forces (ENDF) from the region, where fighting with the Fano has continued since August 2023. Despite the recapture of several towns, many rural areas remain under Fano control.