Voting began in Ethiopia on Monday in parliamentary and regional elections expected to hand Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s ruling Prosperity Party an easy victory, despite significant unrest and intense fighting across much of the country.
More than 50 million people are registered to vote, but eyewitnesses told DNE Africa that in some stations soldiers are casting ballots while armed conflict continues in several areas. Critics argue that civilians are suffering from violence while the same security forces participate in an election that is expected to determine the country’s political future, questioning whether a genuinely free and fair election can take place under such circumstances.
Organisers have already cancelled the election in Ethiopia’s northern Tigray region, citing “unfavourable conditions” in the aftermath of a two-year civil war and amid continuing political turmoil. Though a 2022 peace deal ended the civil war in Tigray, which researchers say caused hundreds of thousands of deaths, a move last month by the main political party there to reassert control over the region’s political administration has led Ethiopian officials and analysts to warn of the risk of fresh unrest.
Abiy faces insurgencies in the country’s two biggest regions, linked to grievances by different ethnic groups about alleged marginalisation within Ethiopia’s federal system. In his native Oromiya, a region in the south, fighting between government forces and the Oromo Liberation Army separatist group has killed hundreds of people in the past few years.
Ethiopia’s Amhara Region Witnesses Intense Fighting
In neighbouring Amhara, an armed movement known as Fano has seized swathes of the countryside since 2023. As a result, voting will not take place in at least eight of Amhara’s 138 constituencies. DNE Africa sources confirmed that today in Ethiopia, rather than an election taking place, intense fighting is being reported across all the mentioned locations involving the Amhara Fano National Movement.
According to reports from the ground, military engagements are ongoing in various parts of Amhara, while the security situation remains highly volatile. In some areas, government security forces have reportedly been captured during the clashes.
Statements from various commands of the movement details extensive fighting that started at 11:00 PM last night and continued into Monday morning:
The Shewa Regional Command – Asaminew Command reported fighting in multiple areas around Debre Berhan, Shewa Robit, the Merhabete area, Debre Sina, Mekoy, Mida Rema, Ataye, Minjar-Shenkora, Gishe Rabel, Menz Mam Midir, Agere Mariam, Berehet, Moretna Jiru, Mojana Wodera, and Ensaro.
The Menelik Command reported heavy fighting on June 1, 2026 (Ginbot 24, 2018 E.C.), across various parts of Wollo, including the Raya Kobo Front (Keyu Gariya, Chobi Ber, Hormat, Menjelo, Robit, Gobye), the Lasta Front (areas around Lalibela, Dibko, Bilbala, Yibar-Wondach), the Gashena Front (Estayish, Delanta–Tsehay Mewcha, Meket, Dawunt, Wadla), the Dessie and Ambassel Front (Kutaber, Gishen, Tenta, Gosh Meda, areas around Dessie including Albuko, Habru Girana), and the West Wollo Front (Mekdela–Debre Zeit, Mekane Selam, Sayint Densa, Sayint Ajibar, Wegdi, Kelala–Liguama, Mekdela Bili, Work Mawcha).
The Tewodros Command reported fighting between government forces and Fano fighters in Mota, Ginde Weyin, Felege Birhan, Mertule Mariam, Debre Work, Bichena, Woyra, Yetmen, Yedwuha, Sekela, Addis Kidam, Shindi, Dangila, Jawi, Yismala, Adet, Work Meda, Yebokla, Tilili, areas around Debre Markos including Enarata, Rebu Gebeya, and Jube-Kork. The report claims three defensive positions were captured in Sekela, and various weapons, including a Bren machine gun, were seized in Kork.
The Gondar Regional Command – Belay Command reported heavy clashes in Ebnat, Guala, Anbesame, Hamusit, Maksenyit, Arbaya, Woreta, Masero, Arba Gebeya, Anda Bet, Simada, Jansuma, Abrahajira, Debre Tabor, Este, Shawra, Addis Zemen, Mikael Debir, Shinfa, Negade Bahir, Sali, Kimir Dingay, Amba Giorgis, Azezo, Qeraqir, and surrounding areas. The report claims allied forces have captured a significant amount of military equipment.
Fano said that towns are generally quiet, while in some locations members of Ethiopia’s Prosperity Party are taking photographs under temporary campaign tents.
