https://www.stratfor.com/situation-report/ethiopia-government-lifts-travel-restrictions-foreign-diplomats
Ethiopia: Government Lifts Travel Restrictions For Foreign Diplomats
Situation Reports NOVEMBER 8, 2016
Ethiopia's government lifted travel restrictions for foreign diplomats Nov. 8, Minister of Defense Siraj Fegessa said, Africanews reported. The restrictions, which had been in place for about a month, had limited the travel of diplomats in Addis Ababa to within 40 kilometers (25 miles) of the city. In announcing the development, Siraj reported cited a return of relative "peace and stability" in the country, which has been rocked by opposition protests for months now. Despite Siraj's given reason, the government likely lifted the ban more due to pressure from the international community than any significant improvements in countrywide stability. The move represents only a small concession to outside powers. The U.S. Embassy, for example, complained that the restrictions had kept it from helping distressed U.S. citizens around Ethiopia.
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Ethiopia lifts diplomatic travel restrictions
Addis Ababa declared a 6-month state of emergency on Oct. 8 following waves of civil unrest
08.11.2016
ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia
Ethiopia has lifted the ban restricting diplomats from traveling outside of the capital Addis Ababa beyond a 40-kilometer radius (25 miles) without notification.
The country declared a six-month state of emergency, which included the diplomatic travel ban, on Oct. 8, following waves of civil unrest in parts of the Oromia and Amhara regions after violent demonstrations following the killing of 56 people in a stampede.
The move to lift this restriction came following the prevailing relative peace and security in the country, Fana Broadcasting Corporate reported quoting Siraj Fegessa, Secretariat of the Command Post and Minister of Defense, as saying at a press briefing today.
Using social media to contact organizations dubbed as “terrorist” and “anti-peace” or watching broadcast media run by such organizations, organizing protests or showing protest gestures, among others, are prohibited under the decree.
The Command Post established to oversee the implementation of the state of emergency also revised the directive allowing law enforcement bodies to conduct searches without a court warrant.
According to the revised directive, any law enforcement body is obliged to show ID card and tell the reason for the investigation, Siraj said.
On Oct. 2, 56 people died in a stampede that was triggered when police fired bullets and tear gas to disperse crowds at a Irreecha celebration in the south-central town of Bishoftu in Oromia.
http://aa.com.tr/en/africa/ethiopia-lifts-diplomatic-travel-restrictions/681359
Received on Tue Nov 08 2016 - 14:09:32 EST