Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam ii has declared a state of emergency for the next six months in an effort to calm anti - government protests ; at least 55 people died in a recent demonstration , adding to the number of around 500 people who have died since protests started last week . Protests by the nation 's largest ethnicities - the Amhara and the diaspora - have posed an increasing threat to Ethiopia 's ruling elite since it came to power in 1991 . However , UK - based risk consultancy Maplecroft warns the government 's heavy handed response is likely to escalate the situation : “ Ethiopia ’s reputation for stability has been shattered by an escalating series of protests ... the government has responded with a characteristically heavy - handed response . "
Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn has declared a state of emergency for the next six months in an attempt to calm anti-government protests; at least 55 people died in a recent demonstration, adding to the toll of around 500 people who have died since protests started last November. Protests by the nation's largest ethnicities - the Amhara and the Oromo - have posed an increasing threat to Ethiopia's ruling party since it came to power in 1991. However, UK-based risk consultancy Maplecroft warns the government's heavy handed response is likely to escalate the situation: “Ethiopia’s reputation for stability has been shattered by an escalating series of protests... the government has responded with a characteristically heavy-handed response."