A rebel group calling itself the Amhara Fano National Movement (AFNM) has warned residents and travelers against the movement of vehicles throughout the Amhara region from Friday through Monday, as Ethiopia prepares for nationwide voting scheduled for Monday. The restriction excludes ambulances and other essential medical services.

In a statement released ahead of the election and being circulated online, the movement said it would take measures against anyone found violating the restriction. The group stated that the directive was intended to disrupt what it described as a “sham” and “illegitimate” election. Despite criticism that Fano is not a homogeneous group, AFNM has maintained an online presence in an effort to assert its position and project a unified stance.

The Amhara Region Peace and Security Head, Eshetu Yousuf, dismissed the warning, saying it was a usual threat that amounted to nothing. He said the group had abducted election organizers and called for demonstrations, but that had not stopped them from carrying on, he told DW Amharic.
Insecurity in the Amhara region has led to the cancellation of voting in some areas. The National Electoral Board of Ethiopia (NEBE) announced that voting would not take place in eight constituencies in the region, out of the 138 previously planned for the parliamentary elections scheduled for June 1.
The warning could disrupt travel for many people in the region, particularly those undertaking religious pilgrimages. On Friday, as part of the annual Ginbot Lideta celebration marking the birthday of Mary, several pilgrims set out by bus for Tsadkane Maryam Church, about 200 kilometers northeast of Addis Ababa.