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.