It is the first time since the ruling party came to power 25 years ago that a state of emergency has been put in place in Ethiopia.

The country's prime minister said via state media that the steps were taken to restore order following escalating protests around the country.

Among those protesting are Ethiopia's largest ethnic group, the Oromos, who make up at least a third of the country's 100 million people.

But they have been marginalized for decades, with tensions rising recently as the government promoted development that took over Oromo farmland.

Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn said: "The state of emergency was declared following a thorough discussion by the Council of Ministers on the loss of lives and property damages occurring in the country. "We want to put an end to the damage that is being carried out against infrastructure projects, health centers, administration and justice buildings," he said, according to local media reports. Oromo protests: Why US must stop enabling Ethiopia The state of emergency took effect Saturday. , officials in the country have shut down mobile Internet service and blocked social media in most parts of Oromia, the largest of Ethiopia's nine regional states. , officials in the country have shut down mobile Internet service and blocked social media in most parts of Oromia, the largest of Ethiopia's nine regional states. According to local media , officials in the country have shut down mobile Internet service and blocked social media in most parts of Oromia, the largest of Ethiopia's nine regional states. Protests have raged in the country since at least 52 people died on October 2 during the Oromo holy festival known as Irreechaa. Activists in Ethiopia disputed the government's accounts and the official death toll of 52. They say security forces fired bullets and tear gas on the crowd and that more than 500 people died. However, the government blamed "troublemakers" for the clashes, and disputed claims security forces fired on protesters. Communications minister Getachew Reda told CNN: "Of the people's bodies who were collected, they do not have any bullet wounds whatsoever. "They were killed in the stampede. The security forces were mostly unarmed..There was no force involved on the part of the security forces." During the 2016 Rio Olympic Games, Ethiopian marathon runner Feyisa Lilesa protested against what he said was unfair persecution of the Oromo people by the Ethiopian government.</s>Ethiopia has lifted the state of emergency in the East African country, imposed in February following the abrupt resignation of Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn after months of protests.

Parliament approved a bill on Tuesday to end the emergency rule two months earlier than planned, state-affiliated Fana Broadcasting reported.

Mass protests erupted in 2015 when anti-government demonstrations broke out among the Oromo, Ethiopia's biggest ethnic group, and later spread to the Amhara, the second biggest group.

The protests, which initially began over land rights but later broadened to include calls for greater political representation at the national level, were met with a harsh government response.

In August 2017, Ethiopia lifted a 10-month state of emergency imposed after hundreds of people were killed in anti-government protests demanding wider political freedoms.

Since the election of Abiy Ahmed, the first Oromo prime minister in the country's history, the authorities have pledged to push through a raft of reforms.

Abiy has travelled to several areas of the country, promising to address grievances and strengthen a range of political and civil rights.

In addition, several thousands of prisoners have been released and tensions in restive areas, notably Oromia, have dramatically declined.</s>It is the first time since the ruling party came to power 25 years ago that a state of emergency has been put in place in Ethiopia.

The country's prime minister said via state media that the steps were taken to restore order following escalating protests around the country.

Among those protesting are Ethiopia's largest ethnic group, the Oromos, who make up at least a third of the country's 100 million people.

But they have been marginalized for decades, with tensions rising recently as the government promoted development that took over Oromo farmland.

Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn said: "The state of emergency was declared following a thorough discussion by the Council of Ministers on the loss of lives and property damages occurring in the country. "We want to put an end to the damage that is being carried out against infrastructure projects, health centers, administration and justice buildings," he said, according to local media reports. Oromo protests: Why US must stop enabling Ethiopia The state of emergency took effect Saturday. , officials in the country have shut down mobile Internet service and blocked social media in most parts of Oromia, the largest of Ethiopia's nine regional states. , officials in the country have shut down mobile Internet service and blocked social media in most parts of Oromia, the largest of Ethiopia's nine regional states. According to local media , officials in the country have shut down mobile Internet service and blocked social media in most parts of Oromia, the largest of Ethiopia's nine regional states. Protests have raged in the country since at least 52 people died on October 2 during the Oromo holy festival known as Irreechaa. Activists in Ethiopia disputed the government's accounts and the official death toll of 52. They say security forces fired bullets and tear gas on the crowd and that more than 500 people died. However, the government blamed "troublemakers" for the clashes, and disputed claims security forces fired on protesters. Communications minister Getachew Reda told CNN: "Of the people's bodies who were collected, they do not have any bullet wounds whatsoever. "They were killed in the stampede. The security forces were mostly unarmed..There was no force involved on the part of the security forces." During the 2016 Rio Olympic Games, Ethiopian marathon runner Feyisa Lilesa protested against what he said was unfair persecution of the Oromo people by the Ethiopian government.</s>Ethiopia's parliament has lifted its state of emergency two months early, after ministers voted that law and order has been restored in the country, according to state media.

The country's council of Ministers approved a draft law on Saturday to lift the current state of emergency which started in October 2016, following months of protests from Oromo groups in the country.

The nation has been in an official state of emergency since February 16 and has experienced two years of protests.

The Oromos are Ethiopia's largest ethnic group and make up around a third of the nation's 100 million population.</s>Ethiopia's parliament has lifted its state of emergency two months early, after ministers voted that law and order has been restored in the country, according to state media.

The country's council of Ministers approved a draft law on Saturday to lift the current state of emergency which started in October 2016, following months of protests from Oromo groups in the country.

The nation has been in an official state of emergency since February 16 and has experienced two years of protests.

The Oromos are Ethiopia's largest ethnic group and make up around a third of the nation's 100 million population.</s>East African growth hub Ethiopia lifted its state of emergency two months early on Tuesday, and now could be the time for frontier market investors to dive in, according to analysts.

"Ethiopia's parliament has just ratified overwhelmingly the draft bill from the cabinet that lifts the state of emergency," Fitsum Arega, the prime minister's chief of staff, tweeted. "The government is confident that the public will maintain and protect peace and order."

The news is the latest in a series of reformist steps that suggest now is "a good window to start investigating" investment opportunities in Ethiopia, according to Jean Devlin, partner in global risk analysis at Control Risks.

Ethiopia, a de facto one-party state, is used to heavy-handed government control. But, last week, the ruling coalition party began talks with opposition groups with a view to amending an anti-terror law critics say stymies dissent.

Meanwhile, the country's telecoms sector, a state-run monopoly, said it would allow local firms to use its infrastructure to provide internet services.

On top of this, the Financial Times reported that major investor China has cut back its financial ties to Ethiopia, citing concerns over foreign exchange shortages and national debt.

"Caution is still required as Ethiopia is coming back from the brink," Pat Thaker, editorial director for the Middle East and Africa at the Economist Intelligence Unit, told CNBC via email Monday.

But, with Chinese investment potentially becoming less of a presence in Ethiopia, "this presents an opening for Western investors who have generally stayed back in the last two to three years, and I think the political news will complement that."

Ethiopia imposed a state of emergency in February following the resignation of Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn.</s>Ethiopia’s parliament approved on Tuesday a government move to end a state of emergency two months earlier than planned, state-affiliated Fana Broadcasting reported.

The decision follows a weekend resolution by the Council of Ministers to noted that ‘law and order’ had been restored.

The state of emergency was imposed in mid February after the resignation of former Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn which gave rise to a power struggle within the ruling coalition, Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF).

Fana Broadcasting reported that Ethiopia’s 547- seat House of People’s Representatives discussed the council’s resolution on Tuesday and overwhelmingly passed it with just eight abstentions.

All legislators in Ethiopia’s parliament are members of the ruling party.

Abiy Ahmed, a former army officer who replaced Hailemariam as premier, has travelled around Ethiopia, promising to address grievances strengthen a range of political and civil rights.

Authorities have pledged to push through a raft of reforms that have included the release of thousands of prisoners.

: Ethiopia PM appeals for unity, pledges democracy and improved relations with Eritrea</s>Ethiopia’s parliament approved on Tuesday the government’s decision to lift a six-month state of emergency two months earlier than planned, state-affiliated Fana Broadcasting reported.

The government imposed emergency rule in February to clamp down on unrest sparked by a planned development scheme for the capital Addis Ababa which some fear will lead to land seizures in the nearby Oromiya region.

The matter made Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn to step down.

On Saturday, Ethiopia’s cabinet had met to assess the security situation and “noted that law and order has been restored”, setting the stage for Tuesday’s vote in parliament.

Abiy Ahmed, a former army officer who replaced Hailemariam as premier, has travelled around Ethiopia, promising to address grievances to strengthen a range of political and civil rights.

Authorities have pledged to push through a raft of reforms that have included the release of thousands of prisoners.

NAN reports that a State of Emergency was declared on Oct. 9, 2016.

The state of emergency authorises the military to enforce security nationwide. It also imposes restrictions on freedom of speech and access to information.

Media have reported the state of emergency’s duration was announced for six months.

The Constitution of Ethiopia provides for a six-month state of emergency under certain conditions.

The government’s declaration of state of emergency followed massive protests by the Oromo and Amhara ethnic groups against the government, which is controlled by people in the Tigrayan ethnic group, a smaller ethnic minority.

It is the first time in approximately 25 years that a state of emergency has been declared in Ethiopia.

In March 2017, Ethiopia’s parliament voted to extend the state of emergency for another four months.</s>NAN reports that a State of Emergency was declared on Oct. 9, 2016.

The state of emergency authorises the military to enforce security nationwide. It also imposes restrictions on freedom of speech and access to information.

Media have reported the state of emergency’s duration was announced for six months.

The Constitution of Ethiopia provides for a six-month state of emergency under certain conditions.

The government’s declaration of state of emergency followed massive protests by the Oromo and Amhara ethnic groups against the government, which is controlled by people in the Tigrayan ethnic group, a smaller ethnic minority.

It is the first time in approximately 25 years that a state of emergency has been declared in Ethiopia.

In March 2017, Ethiopia’s parliament voted to extend the state of emergency for another four months.</s>ADDIS ABABA (Reuters) - Ethiopia’s parliament approved on Tuesday the government’s decision to lift a six-month state of emergency two months earlier than planned, state-affiliated Fana Broadcasting reported.

The government imposed emergency rule in February to clamp down on unrest sparked by a planned development scheme for the capital Addis Ababa which some fear will lead to land seizures in the nearby Oromiya region. The matter led to Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn to step down.

On Saturday, Ethiopia’s cabinet had met to assess the security situation and “noted that law and order has been restored”, setting the stage for Tuesday’s vote in parliament.

Abiy Ahmed, a former army officer who replaced Hailemariam as premier, has travelled around Ethiopia, promising to address grievances strengthen a range of political and civil rights.

Authorities have pledged to push through a raft of reforms that have included the release of thousands of prisoners.
Fana Broadcasting reports that the Parliament of Ethiopia approves a bill and lifts the state of emergency, two months earlier than planned.