![Protesters run from tear gas being fired by police during Irreecha, the religious festival in Bishoftu where at least 52 people died [Tiksa Negeri/Reuters]](/get/maximage/20170330_1490884647-163838.jpg?1635250003)
Protesters run from tear gas being fired by police during Irreecha, the religious festival in Bishoftu where at least 52 people died [Tiksa Negeri/Reuters]
Addis Ababa: The Ethiopian parliament on Thursday extended the country's state of emergency by four months, national broadcaster EBC reported, two weeks after it had initially relaxed the measures.
The state of emergency was originally declared in October and set to last for six months, a reaction to months of anti-government protests.
Defence Minister Siraj Fegessa told parliament that security had improved, but that the extension was needed to bring "lasting peace."
"We still have some anti-peace elements that are active and want to capitalize on disputes that arise among regional states of the country," Fegessa told parliament.
