Ethiopia announces lifting of a six-month state of emergency
Ethiopia’s cabinet on Wednesday announced the lifting of a six-month state of emergency ahead of its expiration in light of changing security conditions in the country.
Ethiopia decalred the state of emergency in November after the Tigray forces said they has gained more territory and were considering marching on the capital Addis Ababa.
“Now we have reached to the point where threats can be neutralized through regular law enforcement mechanisms,” the statement from the Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s office said on Wednesday.
The cabinet’s decision was sent to parliament for its approval.
Over the weekend, the military said it was planning to enter the Tigray regional capital of Mekelle and “eliminate” the TPLF forces.
That statement came amid diplomatic efforts to end conflict that broke out in November 2020 and has displaced millions and triggered widespread hunger.
Witnesses, lawyers and human rights groups have said that hundreds of ethnic Tigrayans were held under the state of emergency’s sweeping powers of detention.
An unknown number have been released after the shift in the war late last month.
Ethiopia’s government has sought to restrict reporting on the conflict and detained some journalists.
Anyone suspected of having links with “TPLF” groups has been detained without a court warrant.