As anti-government protests continue to spread across Ethiopia’s Amhara region, authorities in two cities have imposed nighttime curfews.
The cities of Dessie and Debrebirhan followed another city, the historic Gondar, in imposing the restrictions. On Monday, both cities saw large-scale protests.
Demonstrations without permits and civilians carrying weapons were already prohibited.
Protests erupted and quickly spread last week in response to the federal government’s decision to dissolve a paramilitary unit, the Amhara Special Forces. (ASF).
According to the authorities, the move will help to create a strong unified security force and is being implemented in all 11 regions of Ethiopia.
Opponents in Amhara, however, argue that the move will leave the region vulnerable to attacks from its neighbors.
Debrebirhan, 130 kilometers (80 miles) north of Addis Abeba, has also prohibited tens of thousands of displaced people who have fled violence in the neighboring Oromia region and are being housed in the city from leaving their camps.
