Ethiopian parliament approves 6-month state of emergency

ADDIS ABABA, March 2 (Xinhua) -- The Ethiopian parliament on Friday approved the six-month state of emergency period that was imposed by the Council of Ministers on February 16.

The Ethiopian parliament, which is exclusively dominated by the ruling coalition the Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF), approved the martial law on Friday amid strong opposition from its members.

As the parliament was expected to approve the emergency rule by a minimum of two thirds of its total 539 active members, 395 parliamentarians have voted in favor of the law, more than the minimum 339 prerequisite to approve the emergency rule.

Some 88 parliamentarians have voted against the state of emergency institution, while 7 other members of the house have abstained from the vote.

The emergency rule, which came shortly after Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn's resignation from the country's premiership and chairmanship of the ruling party, among other things prohibits possession of armaments at public areas or transferring firearms to third party as well as providing support to activities which affect the peace and well-being of citizens.

The state of emergency, due effective as of Feb. 16, was imposed by Ethiopian Council of Ministers, saying it was to protect the country's constitution, and the safety of citizens and their property from the dangers that would arise from the ongoing violent demonstrations in different parts of the country.

The decree also prohibits issuing statement on security matters without the permission of the Command Post, distributing erroneous information that contradicts the law and the directives issued by the Command Post. It also forbids carrying weapons in unauthorized regions of the country.

The state of emergency also outlines curfews prohibiting movement of individuals around infrastructures, investment areas and other related places.

The Command Post authorized Ethiopian security officers to take measure against individuals or groups that are found in breach of the curfew.

The current 6-month state of emergency period is the second the East African country imposed since the second half of 2016. Ethiopia had witnessed a 10-month long state of emergency period since October 2016. Enditem