File photo shows security personnels patrol on the street in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Jan 29, 2011. (Xinhua/Zhao Yingquan)ADDIS ABABA, Feb. 18 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. embassy in Ethiopia on Saturday urged Addis Ababa to reconsider its decision to institute martial law. In a statement posted on its website, the U.S. embassy said the decision to impose martial law in Ethiopia on Friday reverses positive steps taken to create a more inclusive political space, including the release of thousands of prisoners. Ethiopian National Security Council (ENSC) on Saturday urged citizens to respect the state of emergency that came into effect on Friday. Ethiopia has been facing incessant protests since 2016, especially in three most populous Oromia, Amhara and Southern regional states.

Source: Ethiopian News February 17, 2018 17:48 UTC