The decision to end the state of emergency was made three weeks ago at a Council of Ministers meeting that was chaired by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed. Parliament approved the resolution by a majority vote, with 63 lawmakers objecting and another 21 abstaining.
The emergency measure, which was initially intended to last six months, was imposed in November as rebel forces – led by the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) and its ally the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA) – captured two major cities on the highway to the capital, Addis Ababa.
Since then, the TPLF has been forced to withdraw to its Northern Tigray region after its advance to the south was repelled by an Abiy-led offensive that featured militias, drones and trips that were widely broadcast by state media.
Under state of emergency
A range of civil liberties were suspended, while the police were granted powers to detain, without
There's more to this story
Get unlimited access to our exclusive journalism and features today. Our award-winning team of correspondents and editors report from over 54 African countries, from Cape Town to Cairo, from Abidjan to Abuja to Addis Ababa. Africa. Unlocked.
cancel anytime
Already a a subscriber Sign In
