Extremist Groups Ravage Amhara: Urgent Crisis Escalates
Staff Writer
April 26, 2025 (ENA) -- Addis Ababa, Committed to maintaining peace and stability, the government has achieved strong economic expansion, thus laying the groundwork for the nation's flourishing future.
Nonetheless, the nation has encountered various internal and external challenges. Motivated by personal or collective political agendas, Ethiopia has faced violence and conflicts, exacerbated by outside elements opposing peace. Consequently, these aggressive factions have sought to undermine the stability of the country.
The current administration has emphasized that the only path forward for Ethiopia’s political disputes is through peaceful means. They have shown their dedication to this cause, notably with the historic Pretoria Peace Agreement in 2022, which restored normalcy and services to the residents of the Tigray region.
Similarly, the Ethiopian government has consistently maintained that violent armed factions in Amhara and Oromia must embrace the route of nonviolent resistance. As a result, numerous ex-combatants have taken up the government’s proposal, undergone rehabilitation programs, and acquired new skill sets. They now lead ordinary lives within their communities.
Nevertheless, those radical militant organizations that rejected the peaceful approach and dialogues—the ones hell-bent on dismantling the nation, perpetrating murders, thefts, and widespread devastation across different areas of the region—continued their actions.
The reckless behavior of militant factions has led to a major social and economic downturn in the area. Murder, abduction, and assaults on non-combatants are widespread issues.
Recently, Eshete Yesuf, who heads the Amhara Peace and Security Bureau, informed ENA that the government has continually called for peace, encouraging the group to cease its harmful actions. The extremists have not only interfered with fertilizer distribution across various areas but also disrupted essential public services. Additionally, they've stopped farmers from tending to their fields and transporting goods to markets.
The actions of the armed groups have created a pervasive climate of fear and insecurity on the communities. These groups have continued to destabilize the country and the region through violence, including killings, looting, and destruction.
Recognizing the malevolent objectives of the radical faction and heeding the nation's appeal for tranquility, numerous individuals from the militant wing have opted for a calm existence.
Facing ongoing daily abuse, violence, and sabotage perpetrated by anti-peace organizations, both local and national authorities, alongside those impacted, are pushing for stronger law enforcement actions.
These groups have consistently obstructed daily life by blocking roads, disrupting the delivery of fertilizers and other essential services, and impeding farmers' access to markets. The extremist group has in particular demonstrated its anti-people stance by throwing grenades on schools, killing teachers, and preventing children from going to school.
This situation has prevented millions of children and youths in the region from going to school, posing serious ramification to the long-term trained youth of the region to spearhead its development.
Moreover, the extremists' destructive actions have weakened the area's economy by interrupting transport systems and impeding agricultural activities, resulting in significant consequences for food production and livelihoods. Even though both regional authorities and national administrations aim for harmony and steadiness across the board, these militant factions continue to obstruct such endeavors towards tranquility and balance. This organization remains steadfastly committed to causing substantial damage to local populations, territorial integrity, and state structures.
Eyewitness accounts detail civilians enduring extortion, violence, and widespread insecurity, with armed groups demanding financial and material support and imposing illegal taxes. These groups also perpetrate abductions and killings. Teachers being abused the armed group.
The president of the Ethiopian Teachers Association vehemently denounced the cruel actions taken against educators by extremist organizations in the Amhara region. He called upon parents and educational officials to champion the cause of ensuring children can attend school safely. These violent incidents have immobilized everyday activities via threats, killings, looting, and forced enlistment of minors, severely impacting agrarian areas already burdened by financial struggles.
Acknowledging the seriousness of the circumstances and following continuous appeals from both citizens and authorities, ex-militants in the Amhara area have surrendered their weapons and enrolled in rehabilitation initiatives. The government as well as the community persistently encourage armed factions to relinquish their weapons and adopt the route towards peace and progress.
Ex- combatants who heeded the call for peace affirmed their belief that their previous acts had only worsened the plight of the Amhara people, and they committed themselves to fostering peace via meaningful discussions. Numerous ex-combatants active throughout different areas of the Amhara region admitted that their efforts to disrupt the stability of the area, aimed at tackling the real concerns of the Amhara community, were misdirected, leading to significant harm both to the region and its inhabitants.
They described the catastrophic effects of the conflict, such as loss of lives, disruptions in transport systems, paralysis of healthcare centers, and hindrance to children’s education.
Understanding that violence does not serve the public interest, the militants genuinely embraced peace initiatives and committed themselves to resolving issues through nonviolent communication, vowing to make amends for the damage inflicted upon their communities. They also pledged cooperation with national defense forces to ensure enduring tranquility and issued an official apology for their past deeds.
The government remains steadfast in its commitment to peaceful dialogue with any armed group willing to engage peacefully. Recall that recently, the representatives of the Amhara region submitted agendas items gathered from the region to the National Dialogue Commission.
In an effort to counter anarchism and reinstate stability and security within the region, authorities plan to enhance their policing actions. The head of the Region’s Peace and Security Bureau stated that coordinated efforts are underway targeting the radical faction responsible for abducting and killing residents, undermining education, and mistreating educators locally. These reinforced police initiatives across various areas have garnered community backing and assistance.