Amhara Region coup attempt

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2019 Amhara Region coup d'état attempt
Amhara Region coup attempt is located in Ethiopia
Bahir Dar
Bahir Dar
Addis Ababa
Addis Ababa
Amhara Region coup attempt (Ethiopia)
Date22 June 2019
Location
Bahir Dar, Amhara Region, Ethiopia
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Result
  • Coup attempt foiled, but regional president and chief of staff of the armed forces killed.
Belligerents

Factions of the Amhara Region's Peace and Security Bureau

Ethiopia Government of Ethiopia

Amhara Regional state government
Commanders and leaders
  • Abiy Ahmed
    Prime Minister of Ethiopia
  • Lemma Megersa
    Minister of Defense
  • Ambachew Mekonnen †
    President of the Amhara Region
  • Gen. Se'are Mekonnen †
    Chief of Staff of the Ethiopian National Defense Force
  • Maj. Gen. Gizae Aberra †
    Aide-de-camp to the Chief of Staff
    • Strength
    Unknown Unknown
    Casualties and losses
    Unknown 5 dead
    Unknown civilian casualties

    On 22 June 2019, factions of the security forces of Ethiopia's Amhara Region attempted a coup d'état against the regional government, during which the President of the Amhara Region, Ambachew Mekonnen, was assassinated. A bodyguard siding with the nationalist factions assassinated General Se'are Mekonnen – the Chief of the General Staff of the Ethiopian National Defense Force – as well as his aide, Major General Gizae Aberra. The Prime Minister's Office accused Brigadier General Asaminew Tsige, head of the Amhara region security forces, of leading the plot.

    Background

    Ethiopia, which has historically faced ethnic conflicts, established a system of ethnic federalism under the 1995 constitution, establishing the Amhara Region as a subnational region where the population is predominantly made up of the Amhara people. The traditional districts of Wolkait and Raya Azebo, which had previously been part of the provinces of Begemder and Wollo respectively, were joined to the Tigray Region.[1]

    The Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) and the Amhara National Democratic Movement (ANDM), which was later renamed to the Amhara Democratic Party (ADP), had been accused of "disciplining the Amhara people instead of representing them".[2][3]

    Despite these grievances, Amhara nationalism remained a marginal force during the first two decades of the EPRDF-led order. Amhara political elites continued to place their stock in pan-Ethiopian nationalism, and largely rejected ethnic self-identification in favour of a purely Ethiopian one.[4] Accordingly, the region voted overwhelmingly for the Coalition for Unity and Democracy and United Ethiopian Democratic Forces opposition alliances in the 2005 general elections, which had run on decisively pan-Ethiopian platforms.[5]

    The rise to power of Abiy Ahmed encouraged the belief that the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) was in decline and motivated Amhara nationalists to push for the "return" of the "lost" regions in the Tigray Region. Under the hardline leadership of Debretsion Gebremichael, however, this was strongly resisted.[6]

    In March 2019, Amhara regional president Gedu Andargachew resigned for unstated reasons, but warned of the rising danger of "narrow nationalism" in his farewell speech. He was replaced by Ambachew Mekonnen, who was seen by some observers as more amenable to Amhara nationalist interests.[7] To this end, he appointed Asaminew Tsige, a retired general and former political prisoner with ties to Amhara nationalist militias and youth sections of the Amhara Democratic Party, as head of the regional security forces.[8] In June, at the graduation speech for newly inducted members of the security forces, Asaminew delivered an "incendiary" speech reportedly full of Amhara nationalist invective.[9]

    Events

    Early in the evening of 22 June, gunfire was heard in Bahir Dar, capital of the Amhara region. According to Deutsche Welle, eyewitnesses claimed to have seen and heard explosions at the Regional Police Commission headquarters, the offices of the regional legislature, and seat of the regional administration.[10] Shortly thereafter, observers, including the Embassy of the United States, Addis Ababa, reported gunfire in Addis Ababa.[11] A statement from the Prime Minister's Office said that a "hit squad" reporting to Brigadier Genenal Asaminew Tsige, Chief of the Amhara Region Peace and Security Bureau, had burst in to a meeting of the regional cabinet and opened fire.[12] According to Reuters, the meeting's agenda reportedly concerned Asaminew's attempts to openly recruit ethnic militias.[9]

    In a statement shortly after midnight on 23 June, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed announced that General Se'are Mekonnen, Chief of Staff of the Ethiopian National Defense Force, had been attacked by "people in his close entourage [who had been] bought by hired elements".[11] The next morning, Radio Dimtsi Weyane reported that Se'are, along with an aide, Major General Gizae Aberra, had died from their wounds. The Amhara Mass Media Agency likewise reported that Ambachew Mekonnen, President of the Amhara Region, had been killed along with an adviser, Ezez Wassie.[13] Megbaru Kebede, Attorney-General of the Amhara Region, was also seriously injured[10] and died on 24 June.[14]

    Asaminew remained at large for 36 hours after the attempt. The state media confirmed that he was shot dead by police near Bahir Dar on 24 June,[15] while several of his alleged co-conspirators have been detained.[9]

    Aftermath

    Following the coup attempt, internet access was shut down nationwide.[16][17][18] Ethiopia remained offline two days later with no official explanation.[19][20]

    Prime Minister Abiy called for unity against the "forces of evil" and flags in Ethiopia flew at half-mast on Monday as a national day of mourning was declared.[9][21]

    Reactions

    The Embassy of the United States in Addis Ababa advised people to shelter in place. A wide range of international leaders condemned the coup attempt.[22]

    References

    1. ^ Borrago, Teshome (10 December 2018). "What is the point in Amhara nationalism?". Ethiopia Insight. Retrieved 23 June 2019.
    2. ^ Amanuel, Tesfaye (4 May 2018). "The Birth of Amhara Nationalism". Addis Standard. Retrieved 23 June 2019.
    3. ^ Menberework, Binyam (10 April 2018). "ANDM and OPDO turned against their master but both follow diverging paths". Addis Standard. Retrieved 23 June 2019.
    4. ^ Michael, Mackonen (November 2008). "Who is Amhara?". African Identities. 6 (4): 393–404. doi:10.1080/14725840802417943.
    5. ^ Siegfried, Pausewang (2009). "Political Conflicts in Ethiopia – in View of the Two-Faced Amhara Identity" (PDF). Proceedings of the 16th International Conference of Ethiopian Studies: 549–60.
    6. ^ Pilling, David (27 March 2019). "Ethiopian ethnic rivalries threaten Abiy Ahmed's reform agenda". Financial Times. Retrieved 23 June 2019.
    7. ^ Gedu Andargachew resigns; replaced by Ambachew Mekonen
    8. ^ "Gedu Andargachew Resigns; Ambachew Mekonnen Elected Chief Administrator of Amhara Region". Ezega. 8 March 2019. Retrieved 23 June 2019. Social media sources indicate that Gedu was saying that some sections of his party were not behind him, especially the youth circles who are loyal to figures such as General Asaminew Tsige.
    9. ^ a b c d "Ethiopia army chief shot dead in 'coup bid' attacks". BBC World News. 23 June 2019. Retrieved 23 June 2019. Gen Asaminew openly advised the Amhara people this month to arm themselves, in a video spread on Facebook and seen by a Reuters reporter.
    10. ^ a b "A coup plot in Bahir Dar? What we know now". Ethiopia Observer. 22 June 2019. Retrieved 23 June 2019.
    11. ^ a b "Ethiopia's military chief of staff attacked: Abiy Ahmed". Ethiopia Observer. 23 June 2019. Retrieved 23 June 2019.
    12. ^ Pilling, David (23 June 2019). "Ethiopia hit by assassinations and 'coup' attempt". Financial Times. Retrieved 23 June 2019.
    13. ^ "President of the Amhara region killed". Ethiopia Observer. 23 June 2019. Retrieved 23 June 2019.
    14. ^ "Ethiopia: Amhara attorney general dies after coup effort". DW. 24 June 2019. Retrieved 24 June 2019.
    15. ^ "Alleged Ethiopian coup mastermind shot dead after 36-hour manhunt". i24 News. Retrieved 24 June 2019.
    16. ^ "Internet shutdown in Ethiopia amid reports of attempted coup". NetBlocks. 22 June 2019. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |dead-url= (help)
    17. ^ "Ethiopia army chief killed amid failed coup attempt". Deutsche Welle. 23 June 2019. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |dead-url= (help)
    18. ^ "Ethiopia cuts internet after army chief of staff shot". News 24. AFP. 23 June 2019. Retrieved 23 June 2019.
    19. ^ "Ethiopia internet shutdown continues following reported coup attempt". NetBlocks. 24 June 2019. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |dead-url= (help)
    20. ^ "Assassinations Challenge Ethiopian Premier's Reform Agenda: Q&A". Bloomberg. 24 June 2019.
    21. ^ "Ethiopia failed coup: Fifth death, national mourning, mastermind killed"". Africanews. 24 June 2019.
    22. ^ "Assassinations in Ethiopia amidst regional 'coup' attempt, condemned by UN chief". UN News. 23 June 2019. Retrieved 23 June 2019.
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