A state of emergency has been declared by the government led by PM Abiy Ahmed as fears build that an all-out war is imminent. Ok, let’s back that up a bit… It’s been nearly a year since Abiy – a former Nobel Peace Prize winner – sent troops to crush the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) in the country’s northern region – an area in dispute with the central government. Last night, the United Nations released a report saying there is evidence that “all parties to the conflict” have targeted civilians in fighting that has been marked by “extreme brutality” and genocide. Since the breakdown of a ceasefire a few weeks ago, the rebel group has captured 2 cities and could soon attack the capital Addis Ababa. That’s led the government to call on residents to register their weapons and get ready to protect their neighbourhoods. International efforts to broker a ceasefire between the government and the rebels have been unsuccessful, and the UN is calling on everyone to tone it down.