Disclaimer: This is an English translation of an Amharic article taken from BBC Amharic and is intended solely for information purposes.
BBC Amharic - Curfew and other restrictions imposed on Bahir Dar city
July 29, 2024
Curfew and various other restrictions have been imposed on residents and drivers in the Amhara Region capital city of Bahir Dar.
Following the security unrest in Amhara Region which has lasted over one year the established Bahir Dar city administration’s security council issued a statement on Sunday, July 28, 2024 (Hamle 21, 2016 EC) announcing curfew and other restrictions to resolve the ongoing security problem.
In accordance, a curfew for all movement of persons and vehicles is in effect for Bahir Dar city lasting from 9 pm at night to 6 am at morning.
The security council announced these curfew restrictions do not apply to security forces’ vehicles, ambulances and fire prevention vehicles and added security forces would conduct searches of these vehicles and others.
The possession of firearms has also been prohibited outside of security forces and those working in affiliation to security work with due permissions. It adds that security personnel without orders are prohibited from traveling with firearms.
The statement issued by the Bahir Dar city security council also described reasons which worsened problems within the city and said “the majority of problems occur in coordination with bajaj drivers”.
As a result, three wheeled bajaj vehicles which are widely used within Bahir Dar city for transportation have been prohibited from traveling between 6 pm at night to 6 am in the morning.
In addition it ordered that curtains used within bajajs are to be lifted, they are to travel only within designated areas and they are to display newly provided identifiers provided by the city’s transportation bureau.
Bajaj drivers and renters have also been ordered to show their agreements to police and the city’s transportation office.
The city security council in Bahir Dar city issued the curfew and other movement restrictions for reasons of strengthening security and protection, and stated motorcycles were prohibited for an undisclosed period.
It indicated that persons or vehicles violating the curfew and other restrictions would face measures and accountability by law.
The council also states persons found in possession of firearms in violation of the prohibition would have their firearms confiscated.
In many areas of Amhara Region it has been over a year since fighting began between government security forces and Fano militants, and it can be recalled that towards the end of last year major cities in the region were captured by Fano militants.
At the time at the request of the regional administration, the federal government issued a state of emergency declaration and the national defense force was deployed to Amhara Region where it has begun a law enforcement operation to retake control.
The state of emergency which has been in effect for 10 months in the region ended last Ginbot, however fighting has continued in various parts of Amhara Region between government forces and Fano militants.
In the statement by the Bahir Dar city security council announcing the curfew and other restrictions, it said peace and security were improving in the city due to the “intense fight of the federal, regional and city security forces”.
However the reasons for the curfew and other restrictions which come into effect starting on Sunday, July 28, 2024 (Hamle 21, 2016 EC) by the council were not made clear.
Comments