Restrictions on opposition, foreign diplomats constrained from traveling and a dusk to dawn curfew around major projects are some of the new measure imposed by the Ethiopian government as part of the newly declared six month state of emergency in the country.
Opposition parties have been forbidden from issuing statements that pose a threat to the sovereignty, security and constitutional order of the country according to Reuters. In addition the security services have been given the mandate to stop and search suspects and homes without court authorization. Security forces have been banned from going on holiday or resigning from their jobs.
Diplomats have been constrained to travelling beyond a 40 km radius of the capital.
“Contacting opposition groups branded “terrorist movements” has been forbidden. Ethiopia has designated five groups, including two armed secessionist movements, as terrorists.” Says the report by reuters
Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn declared the state of emergency from October 8th.
Cellphone internet access has been cut for almost three weeks in most parts of the country, including the capital.
“It is illegal to watch television stations set up by the diaspora such as Ethiopian Satellite television (ESAT) and the US-based Oromia Media Network (OMN). Posting links from these organisations’ websites onto social media has also been declared a “criminal activity”. Reports AFP
The Oromo and Amhara communities in Ethiopia which are more than half of the population have been protesting for nearly a year against marginalisation by a government largely made up of minority Tigrayans community, which controls power and the economy.
