Ethiopia Lifts State Of Emergency Early, Citing Easing War

Lawmakers in Ethiopia have voted to end the country’s three-month state of emergency early even as mediation efforts to end a deadly war in the north continue in the country.

The decision took place after Ethiopia’s Council of Ministers, chaired by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, decided on Jan. 26 to end the state of emergency originally imposed for six months.

The state of emergency was imposed in early November as Tigray regional forces fighting Ethiopian and allied forces moved closer to the capital, Addis Ababa.

The Tigray fighters withdrew back into their region in late December amid mediation efforts and under pressure from a drone-supported military offensive carried out by the government.

Ahead of Tuesday’s vote, an advisory committee within the Ethiopian parliament said the lifting of the state of emergency would help revive the country’s economic and diplomatic situation. Parliament speaker Tagesse Chafo said the committee believes the country’s security threats can now be dealt with by regular law enforcement.

According to witnesses, lawyers and human rights groups, thousands of mainly ethnic Tigrayans were detained under the state of emergency, although many were released after December’s shift in the war.

There was no immediate word Tuesday on when the rest of the people detained under the state of emergency would be released. They include a freelance video journalist accredited to The Associated Press, Amir Aman Kiyaro.

The U.S. State Department urged for the move to be immediately followed by the release of all individuals arrested or detained without charge under the state of emergency, adding that the end of these detentions will facilitate an inclusive and productive national dialogue.”