The United States embassy in Addis Ababa has disclosed that the October 9 state of emergency currently in force in Ethiopia severely affects their ability to assist US citizens. ‘’…the decree restricts U.S. and other foreign diplomats from traveling 40 kilometers outside of Addis Ababa, which severely affects the ability of the Consular Section to assist U.S. Citizens,’‘ the embassy said. The embassy in a release titled ‘Security Message for US Citizens: State of Emergency’ reminded citizens that the decree implementing the state of emergency had been published on the official government website, hence the need to observe all rules to avoid arrest. Opposition groups and othet western diplomats in the country have decried the the government’s decision to impose the state of emergency. Ethiopia has since November last year suffered a series of protests in two main regions – Amhara and Oromia.

Source: Ethiopian News October 20, 2016 22:18 UTC