Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Addis Standard2
Published on 2024-03-04 11:36:56
Bahir Dar, the capital city of Ethiopia’s Amhara region, experienced a period of unrest and violence on 29 February, 2024, as clashes erupted between government security forces and the non-state militia known as Fano. The tension was particularly intense in the “Abay Mado” and “Kebele 14” areas, with exchanges of heavy weaponry heard in the ‘Diaspora’ neighborhood. The situation escalated to the point where residents reported hearing gunshots in the area.
However, by the following Saturday, the situation had calmed down, with residents noting dead bodies of both government security forces and armed groups in the streets of the affected areas. Despite the initial turmoil, the city has since regained its usual tranquility, with transportation services resuming on Sunday and essential services like banks and businesses reopening on Monday.
A student at Bahir Dar University mentioned that while classes remain suspended, university staff have returned to work, and the overall movement within the city has normalized. The Bahir Dar City Police released a statement assuring the public that the security issue around the city had been resolved, leading to a peaceful environment.
Walellign Bimrew, the chief of the Bahir Dar Police Department, acknowledged the security challenges faced on 29 February and highlighted the cooperation between regional, municipal, and federal security entities to maintain law and order. He assured residents that transportation services have resumed, and businesses are operating as usual, except for those closed on Sundays.
Despite the temporary disruption caused by the conflict, residents are relieved that peace has returned to the city and that normalcy has been restored. The chief of police emphasized the importance of respecting peace and the strong preference of the people for a peaceful environment.
As the city moves forward from the recent unrest, it is clear that the community values peace and stability above all. The collaboration between security forces at different levels of government has played a crucial role in restoring calm to Bahir Dar. The city can now focus on rebuilding and moving past the events of 29 February, looking towards a future of peace and prosperity for its residents.
Read the original article on Addis Standard
