ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia

Ethiopia has lifted the ban restricting diplomats from traveling outside of the capital Addis Ababa beyond a 40-kilometer radius (25 miles) without notification. 

The country declared a six-month state of emergency, which included the diplomatic travel ban, on Oct. 8, following waves of civil unrest in parts of the Oromia and Amhara regions after violent demonstrations following the killing of 56 people in a stampede.

The move to lift this restriction came following the prevailing relative peace and security in the country, Fana Broadcasting Corporate reported quoting Siraj Fegessa, Secretariat of the Command Post and Minister of Defense, as saying at a press briefing today.

Using social media to contact organizations dubbed as “terrorist” and “anti-peace” or watching broadcast media run by such organizations, organizing protests or showing protest gestures, among others, are prohibited under the decree.

The Command Post established to oversee the implementation of the state of emergency also revised the directive allowing law enforcement bodies to conduct searches without a court warrant.

According to the revised directive, any law enforcement body is obliged to show ID card and tell the reason for the investigation, Siraj said.

On Oct. 2, 56 people died in a stampede that was triggered when police fired bullets and tear gas to disperse crowds at a Irreecha celebration in the south-central town of Bishoftu in Oromia.