The government of Addis Ababa declared yesterday a six-month state of emergency following months of violent protests.

“The state of emergency is vital. It is essential to restore peace and stability over a short period of time. We put our citizens' safety first. Besides, we want to put an end to the damage that is being carried out against infrastructure projects, health centres, administration and justice buildings,” Prime Minister HailemariamDesalegn said

The east African nation is facing since 1991 anti-government protests from majority Oromo and Amhara ethinic groups which feel marginalised by a government led by minority Northern Tigray people. 

All the violence impacts not only the economy, investors but tourism as well which is declining sharply. Foreign companies are vandalized and many lenders said they will leave the country.

Despite the political instability, Ethiopia registered good economic performances over the past decade with an annual average growth exceeding 8%. Havas ranked the nation Africa’s most attractive nation for foreign investors for 2016-2020.

Alain Okpeitcha