The lifting of Ethiopia’s state of emergency has been applauded by the US, which has requested the release of inmates.
The lifting of the emergency was “another crucial action by the Government of Ethiopia to pave the way for a peaceful resolution of the ongoing crisis,” according to US State Department spokesperson Ned Price.
“We demand that this action be swiftly followed by the prompt release of all people who have been arrested or held without charge as a result of the state of emergency,” Mr. Price said.
The emergency order was enacted in November of last year for a six-month period as a rebel alliance led by the Tigray People’s Liberation Front marched on Addis Ababa.
The government justified its decision by citing an improved security environment and the decree’s economic consequences.
BBC