http://timesofoman.com/article/94390/World/Africa/Ethiopia-announces-new-curbs-as-part-of-state-of-emergency-measures
Ethiopia announces new curbs as part of state of emergency measures
October 16, 2016 | 8:27 PM
by Reuters
Ethiopia announces new curbs as part of state of emergency measures
#Ethiopia announces #newcurbs as part of state of #emergency measures #SoE
ADDIS ABABA: Ethiopia imposed curbs on its opposition, travel
restrictions on diplomats, and a dusk-to-dawn curfew around major
projects in new measures announced on Sunday that follow the
declaration of a six-month, nationwide state of emergency.
Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn declared the state of emergency
earlier this month, saying months of unrest threatened the Horn of
Africa nation's stability.
More than 500 people have been killed in protests in the Oromiya
region surrounding the capital Addis Ababa and other areas since last
year, after anger over a development scheme for the capital sparked
broader anti-government demonstrations over politics and human rights
abuses.
The state of emergency was effective from October 8.
In a directive released on Sunday, opposition parties were barred from
issuing statements deemed to pose a threat to the "sovereignty,
security and the constitutional order of the country" to both domestic
and foreign press.
The raft of measures include granting security services powers to stop
and search suspects, and search homes without court authorisation.
Contacting opposition groups branded "terrorist movements" has been
forbidden.
Ethiopia has designated five groups, including two armed secessionist
movements, as terrorists.
The violence in Oromiya, Ethiopia's largest and most populous region,
and to a lesser extent in Amhara province, has overshadowed the
success story of one of Africa's fastest growing economies.
The latest flare-up in Oromiya followed a stampede on October 2 in
which at least 55 people were killed after police fired teargas and
shots into the air to disperse protesters during a crowded annual
festival in the town of Bishoftu.
The unrest has sparked attacks on businesses, many of them
foreign-owned, including farms growing flowers for export.
The new measures include a 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew on access to
"economic installations, infrastructure and agricultural development
projects, factories and others" for anyone apart from authorised
employees.
Diplomats are also restricted from travelling beyond a 40 km (25 mile)
radius of the capital.
Received on Sun Oct 16 2016 - 13:46:07 EDT