The office of Federica Mogherini, head of the European Union external action service, released a statement expressing the block's concern that "the resignation by Prime Minister Hailemariam Dessalegn opens a period of uncertainty in Ethiopia." The executive committee of both the EPRDF and SEPDM have accepted the resignation. However, the Prime Minister's resignation was followed quickly by a decision on Friday of the council of ministers to impose yet another six months nationwide state of emergency and establish a military command post to oversee the emergency decree. Reacting to the resignation of the Prime Minister, the EU said, "it will be important for the new government to have the full capacity to pursue the positive reforms initiated by the Prime Minister to address the grievances of the population." But, the statement said the re-reinstatement of the State of Emergency "risks undermining this very objective."

Source: Ethiopian News February 19, 2018 13:52 UTC