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Ethiopia lifts wartime state of emergency early

February 15, 2022

Lawmakers lifted the emergency measures saying it was "causing more damage" than benefits. The state of emergency was imposed over the fighting in Tigray last November.

https://p.dw.com/p/473F5
Three Ethiopian soldiers patrol a street after the army took control of Hayk town of Amhara city from the rebel Tigray People's Liberation Front
The war in Ethiopia has largely ground to a haltImage: Minasse Wondimu Hailu/Anadolu Agency/picture alliance

Ethiopia's parliament on Tuesday approved an early end to a six-month state of emergency, which was imposed in early November as Tigray forces fighting the Ethiopian government and their allies advanced towards the capital Addis Ababa.

The move follows a proposal by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's Cabinet last month to end the emergency period, as the Tigrayan forces have since withdrawn to their stronghold in the country's north.

Parliament speaker Tagesse Chafo said officials can now use regular law to deal with the country's security threats.

Tesfaye Beljige, chief government whip, said the the emergency measures were restricting tourism and economic activities. It was "causing more damage" than benefits, he added.

Thousands of mainly ethnic Tigrayans were detained under the state of emergency, but many were released after December's downturn in fighting. It wasn't clear if the government would release the rest of the detainees.

Fighting broke out in Tigray in November 2020 after Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed sent troops to topple the Tigray People's Liberation Front, the region's former ruling party.

The conflict has claimed thousands of lives and pushed hundreds of thousands into famine.

WHO supplies reach Tigray, but fuel shortage stops delivery

The World Health Organization (WHO) said it delivered medical supplies to Tigray for the first time since July but could not get the fuel needed to distribute the aid further.

The supplies include antibiotics, medicines for malaria and diabetes, treatment for severe acute malnutrition, reproductive health supplies, and personal protective equipment.

"There is a fuel problem to use and transport these supplies to health centers and hospitals," WHO spokesman Tarik Jasarevic said.

The supplies were being stored in the Tigrayan regional capital, Mekele.

"We call for fuel to be allowed into Tigray urgently, with the support from national authorities and international partners, so that WHO and partners can meet the humanitarian needs of all Ethiopians," Jasarevic said.

Humanitarian crisis unfolds in Ethiopia

lo/dj (AFP, AP, Reuters)