Council of Ministers Declares Nationwide State of Emergency

ADDIS ABABA – The Council of Ministers has declared a state of emergency throughout the country.

The state of emergency has become effective as of today and will remain in force for six months.

The state of emergency proclamation 5/2014 has already been submitted to parliament. It is expected to be approved within the coming 48 hours, said Justice Minister Gedion Timothewos during a press briefing to the press.

The state of emergency was enacted a day after Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed briefed senior government officials on current affairs of the country.

The emergency law is aimed to protect civilians from atrocities being committed by the terrorist TPLF Group in several parts of the country, according to the ministry.

The council of ministers found it necessary to declare the state of emergency to deal with the current situation in the country, said Gedion

A state of emergency command post will be established to lead the process and the army chief of staff in charge of it. The post will be accountable to the PM Office.

The State of Emergency also stipulates citizens to bear resident ID cards wherever they move. Any illegal trading activity involving economic sabotage is strictly prohibited.

Misuse of power given by the government and any illegal activity that might inflict mal-governance is prohibited by the state of emergency.

Anybody suspected over relation with the terrorist group will be detained without any arrest warrant.
Random raids could be conducted by security forces, and unregistered arms will be confiscated by the government.

Any broadcast, publication will be banned if suspected of any moral or related support to the terrorist group, and institutions will be ordered to sack any suspected journalist accordingly, the Justice Minister said.