State of Emergency Implementation Inquiry Board starts work

Addis Ababa, August 16, 2023 (FBC) – The Inquiry Board on the Implementation of State of Emergency Proclamation officially commenced its activities.

The board held a discussion with the members of the General Directorate of the State of Emergency today. It is stated that the board will conduct field observations in the following days.

It is noted that the works undertaken so far by the General Directorate of State of Emergency and the future plans were thoroughly discussed during the meeting.

The member of the General Directorate Melese Alemu revealed that the discussion also focused on the works to be carried out jointly with the Board on Implementation of the State of Emergency Proclamation.

He mentioned that the General Directorate’s ongoing operations to ensure peace in Amhara region and in the country were also highlighted during the meeting.

The members of the Inquiry Board were also briefed regarding the handling of arrested suspects in pursuant to the state of Emergency Proclamation, Melese said.

Following the implementation of the State of Emergency proclamation, the main cities and areas that were hit by conflict in the Amhara region are returning to normalcy in a short period of time, he underscored.

For this reason, private and government institutions have resumed provision of services to the community, the official asserted.

Melese also mentioned that the return of relative peace owing to the implementation of the State of Emergency decree has created a favorable situation for farmers to access fertilizers.

For his part, Azmeraw Andemo, Chairperson of the State of Emergency Proclamation Implementation Inquiry Board, mentioned that the board has started its work, pointing out the members received detailed information on the activities and future plans of the State of Emergency General Directorate.

Following this, the board will conduct field observations in Addis Ababa and Amhara region in the coming days.

He explained that the board will review the implementation of the proclamation and make the results public.

It is to be recalled that the 6th round of the 2nd year of the 1st emergency meeting of the FDRE House of Peoples’ Representatives of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia approved the state of emergency bill by a majority vote, 12 abstention, and 16 against on August 14, 2023 which was also stipulated by Proclamation No. 6/2015 at the 23rd regular meeting of the Council of Ministers on August 4, 2023. The House also approved the appointment of members of the inquiry board with a majority vote and one abstention.