Ethiopian regime lifts ban on diplomats traveling outside the capital

ESAT News (November 8, 2016)

Ethiopian officials on Tuesday announced that the ban on diplomats not to travel beyond 25 miles from the capital has been lifted.

The ban was put in place early in October when the regime declared a state of emergency following waves protests against the regime.

The state of emergency was declared a week after hundreds of people were killed at a religious festival of the Oromos, Ireecha. A year long uprising against the regime has seen the killing of hundreds of protesters by the regime’s security forces.

Diplomats in the capital have been lodging complaints to the regime about the ban, which they said has gotten in the way of their day to day activities.

Despite the lifting of the travel ban, the Internet shutdown is still a problem to many.

The African Union Commission on Monday called on Ethiopia to hold dialogue with all stakeholders for the resolution of the crises in the east African country. It also called on the regime to respect fundamental rights during the state of emergency and also to restore the Internet.