Image copyright Getty Images Image caption Hailemariam Desalegn had been Ethiopia's prime minister since 2012

Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn has resigned unexpectedly, saying he hoped to end years of unrest and political upheaval. A 10-month national state of emergency that ended last year failed to stop the protests, as did the release of thousands of opposition supporters from jail last month..

"Unrest and a political crisis have led to the loss of lives and displacement of many," Mr Hailemariam said. In a televised address, he said his resignation was "vital in the bid to carry out reforms that would lead to sustainable peace and democracy". He had submitted his resignation as both premier and the chairman of the ruling coalition in an effort to facilitate reforms following a period of mass unrest, Reuters news agency reported. Hailemariam's resignation comes as the ruling Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) is under unprecedented pressure to end years of anti-government protests by making democratic reforms, releasing political prisoners and allowing freedom of expression. Today (February 14) was supposed to be the last day of the Oromia strikes but it was called off as the release of a top opposition leader, Bekele Gerba, was announced and undertaken on Tuesday. Hundreds of people died during protests that centered in the country's Oromia and Amhara regions in 2015 and 2016. Particularly visible is the tension between the Tigrayan People's Liberation Front, which has seen its dominance and influence wane, and the Oromo People's Democratic Organisation, which is becoming increasingly more assertive.
Hailemariam Desalegn resigns as Prime Minister of Ethiopia after six years in office amid ongoing unrest in the Oromia and Amhara regions.