Ethiopia’s House of People’s Representatives votes in favour of the state of emergency declared by the federal government over violence in the Amhara region.

“Related peace and security issues shake the constitutional order, present a danger to the sovereignty of the country and public peace and safety. Therefore, to stop the situation, declaring a state of emergency has become necessary,” says Tesfaye Beljige, Government Chief Whip. Clashes between members of the Ethiopian army and a local militia known as Fano erupted earlier in the month in towns and cities across Amhara after months of tensions.

– Air strike kills at least 26 in Ethiopia’s Amhara –

An air strike has killed at least 26 people in Ethiopia’s embattled Amhara region, a hospital official and a resident told AFP on Monday, as deadly clashes rock the region.

The strike in Finote Selam on Sunday was the most severe since clashes between members of the Ethiopian army and a local militia known as Fano erupted in towns and cities across Amhara after months of tensions.

The hospital official said he heard the blast while he was on duty at around 0700 GMT.