Ethiopia: Activists launch fuel blockade in Oromia March 13 /update 1

Event

Activists and youth organizations (Qeerroo) launched a fuel blockade in the Oromia region on Tuesday, March 13. The protest is expected to last for a week and is intended to cut off fuel supplies to most of the country. According to the activists, as of Thursday, March 15, the blockade is preventing trucks from leaving the capital city of Addis Ababa and has not resulted in any damages to trucks or personnel. However, security officials contradicted the claims, stating that fuel supplies have not been interrupted and trucks are operating as usual. Further protests are possible in the region in the coming weeks.

Context

The activists are protesting against the state of emergency that was declared in mid-February. During demonstrations on March 11, soldiers reportedly killed nine civilians and wounded 12 others after mistaking them for rebels in the Moyale area of the Oromia region. A three-day shutdown strike was also conducted between March 5 and 7.

Outbreaks of violence continue to plague the country, notably in the Oromia region. A heightened security presence is thus to be expected across Ethiopian cities while the state of emergency remains in effect. Associated measures, implemented amid an increasingly tense security environment, include a ban on protests and on the production and distribution of publications deemed to incite violence.

Advice

Individuals in the Oromia region are advised to monitor developments to the situation, avoid any large gatherings and demonstrations due to the risk of violence, and adhere to all instructions issued by the local authorities or their home government.