State of emergency in strike-hit Ethiopia

Ethiopia announced a state of emergency yesterday following Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn’s announcement that he will step down amid political unrest.

The emergency was declared after a meeting of the ruling coalition, the state-run Ethiopian Broadcasting Corporation said. It did not say how long the rule would be in place.

The prime minister resigned after strikes and demonstrations prompted the release of opposition leaders. More than 6,000 political prisoners have been freed this year as the government tries to placate discontent.