Ethiopia State of emergency declared in Ethiopia amid political unrest Emergency rule imposed by ruling EPRDF coalition following prime minister Hailemariam Desalegn’s decision to resign Supporters of Bekele Gerba, secretary general of the Oromo Federalist Congress (OFC), chant slogans to celebrate his release from prison. Photograph: Tiksa Negeri/ReutersEthiopia has announced a state of emergency after prime minister Hailemariam Desalegn on Thursday announced his intention to step down amid a political crisis in the country. The ruling EPRDF coalition’s council met on Friday and decided to impose emergency rule for an unspecified period, the state-run Ethiopian Broadcasting Corporation said. The council “came to the conclusion that imposing emergency rule would be vital to safeguarding the constitutional order of our country”. Mass protests force Ethiopia to free opposition leader Read moreMulatu Gemechu, deputy secretary of the opposition Oromo Federalist Congress, said Ethiopia needed a completely new political system after years of unrest.

Source: Ethiopian News February 16, 2018 19:53 UTC