Ethiopia’s defence minister has told journalists that the state of emergency declared yesterday will last six months.
The country’s Council of Ministers declared a state of emergency barely 24 hours after the resignation of the prime minister, Hailemariam Desalegn.
The council “came to the conclusion that imposing emergency rule would be vital to safeguarding the constitutional order of our country”.
‘‘There are still pockets of areas where violence is prevalent. The council (ruling EPRDF coalition) were unanimous in their decision,’‘ the defence minister Siraj Fegessa said.
An opposition politician, Bekela Gerba, who was recently released from prison by the authorities told VOA Amharic that he doesn’t think that the state of emergency will get the support of legislators from Amhara National Democratic Movement and Oromo Peoples’ Democratic Organization.
The decree is expected to be tabled to the national parliament within 15 days. The previous state of emergency was endorsed by the parliament.
The details of the state of emergency may include a ban on public gatherings and demonstrations, curfews, search and seizure without warrant and shutdown of media.
State media are expected to provide all the details later today during news