Ethiopia: Shops close in Addis Ababa in protest July 25

Event

According to media reports, a number of shops in Addis Ababa’s largest market closed on Tuesday, July 25, in protest of recent tax increases. Local residents said that small businesses in two other towns in the Oromia region outside Addis Ababa have also continued to strike. Some shop owners told reporters that they have received letters threatening retaliation if they did not open their stores. Additional protests may occur in the coming days.

Context

Strikes were reported in the towns of Incinni and Ambo in the Oromia region on July 19. Protesters in Incinni attempted to march to the district administrative building but were blocked by security forces. Demonstrators in Ambo reportedly damaged two government vehicles during protests.

In October 2016, the Ethiopian government declared a nationwide state of emergency following months of anti-government protests, primarily concentrated in the Oromia region. The state of emergency took effect on October 8. On March 30, 2017, the Ethiopian parliament voted to extend the state of emergency for another four months, through July. The decision came two weeks after restrictions were relaxed on March 15, preventing the police from being allowed to make arrests or conduct house searches without a legal warrant.

Reports indicated that some 25,000 people were arrested for taking part in protests while the state of emergency was in effect. Several thousand people have since been released, while others are still awaiting legal judgment for organizing protests. The Defense Minister declared that the extension of the emergency order was needed to bring “lasting peace,” while the opposition has accused the government of using it as a tool to clamp down on demonstrators.

Advice

Individuals present in Ethiopia are advised to monitor developments to the sociopolitical situation, to avoid all potential protests due to the possibility of violence, and to have alternative communication plans in place in anticipation of possible telecommunications blackouts (which can occur with little to no notice in Ethiopia).