Ethiopia declares a 6-month state of emergency

Ethiopia declares a 6-month state of emergency

Ethiopia has declared a a 6-month state of emergency a day after Prime Minister Hailemarim Desalegn has tendered a resignation letter. The measure imposed by the Council of Ministers is effective as of today, which came as a surprise to many because it was supposed to be voted by the parliament in the coming fifteen days when PMs return from the recess, no more than a formality. Siraj Fegessa, Ethiopia’s Defense Minister, will give a press briefing tomorrow to explain the restrictions, which in the past included arbitrary arrests without court orders; enables government to “censor and block” radio and television; and dawn-to-dusk prohibitions on unauthorised movements around infrastructure facilities and factories.
This is the second time the country has declared a state of emergency in two years. The first one was imposed on October 2017 and lasted till August of that year, following months of often violent anti-government protests in both Oromia and Amhara regions, which crippled the economy and modest tourism industry.
There is a growing fear that the country could descends into widespread civil unrest and bloodshed. In what it called as a precautionary measure, the U.S. Embassy in Addis Ababa is temporarily suspending all travel outside of Addis Ababa for Embassy personnel. All Americans are cautioned to avoid the area around protests and demonstrations and to check local media for updates on the situation.

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One thought on “Ethiopia declares a 6-month state of emergency

  1. The country need not descend into chaos.
    The country belongs to ALL Ethiopians and NOT
    to Tigray Front. Tigray Front think they can
    kill off everyone opposed to their corrupt, violent
    and incompetent governance.
    The world community has finally come
    to see the deception and willing to do something
    about it. The days of Tigray Front are numbered.

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