Ethiopia has Declared State of Emergency to Curb Spread of COVID-19

Topline: Ethiopia became the first country in Africa to declare a State of Emergency in efforts to stop the spread of COVID-19 on Wednesday, April 7, 2020.

In a tweet posted on his official page, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said: “Considering the gravity of the #COVID19, the government of Ethiopia has enacted a State of Emergency.”

Currently, the second most populous African Nation with more than 110 million citizens, Ethiopia has so far recorded 52 cases of COVID-19, and two deaths.

So far, Ethiopian authorities have taken a series of measures to stem the spread including closing schools, banning public gatherings and requiring most employees to work from home.

“Because the coronavirus pandemic is getting worse, the Ethiopian government has decided to declare a state of emergency under Article 93 of the constitution,” Abiy added in a statement.

The country’s constitution, a state of emergency allows the Council of Ministers to use “all necessary power to protect the country’s peace and sovereignty” and can suspend some “political and democratic rights”.

“I call upon everybody to stand in line with government bodies and others that are trying to overcome this problem,” he added, warning of “grave legal measures” against anyone who undermines the fight against the pandemic.

“This decision is not one that we decide for today’s generation. We’re taking it for our kids too. It is not only what we take in Ethiopia today, it is a decision that we will also decide on tomorrow,” Abiy added.