As of March 26, 2026, the security situation in northern Ethiopia continues to deteriorate, threatening the viability of the general elections scheduled for June. Residents in Horo Guduru Wollega reported a violent incursion by Amhara Fano militants on March 3 that left four people dead and over 180 homes burned across four kebeles. The Amhara Fano National Movement (AFNM) has characterized the upcoming election as a 'hollow ritual,' issuing a stern warning on March 15 that any individuals or institutions participating in the process would be considered enemies of the Amhara people. This climate of fear has led to a widespread boycott of voter registration, particularly in North Shewa and strategic border woredas. Human rights monitors noted that the intensity of the war has not subsided, with February and March 2026 seeing some of the highest casualty rates and most frequent battle events since the conflict began. The federal government’s inability to secure strategic corridors has left large swaths of the region beyond the reach of the National Election Board, casting doubt on the legitimacy of a planned nationwide vote.