Ethiopia announces new curbs as part of state of emergency measures
Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn gestures during a news conference in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, October 11, 2016. REUTERS/Tiksa Negeri
By Aaron Maasho
ADDIS ABABA (Reuters) - 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 Oct. 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 authorization. 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 Oct. 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 authorized employees.
Diplomats are also restricted from traveling beyond a 40 km (25 mile) radius of the capital.
(Reporting by Aaron Maasho; Editing by Katharine Houreld and Ros Russell)
Serious News for Serious Traders! Try StreetInsider.com Premium Free!
You May Also Be Interested In
- Malaysia ex-PM Mahathir facing anti-graft probe in a case involving his sons
- Tech companies plug into India's smaller cities for talent
- China's largest auto show showcases all-electric future, local brands dominate
Create E-mail Alert Related Categories
ReutersSign up for StreetInsider Free!
Receive full access to all new and archived articles, unlimited portfolio tracking, e-mail alerts, custom newswires and RSS feeds - and more!