28 Jul 2021 | 09:37 PM UTC
Ethiopia: Protests reportedly disrupting rail and road freight transport in the Addis Ababa-Djibouti corridor as of July 28
Transport disruptions likely in Ethiopia's Addis Ababa-Djibouti corridor through late July due to protests against recent attacks.
Event
Rail and road freight transport disruptions are likely in the Addis Ababa-Djibouti corridor into the end of July as protesters reportedly continue to block important trade and supply routes connecting the Ethiopian capital with the Port of Djibouti. The purpose of the protest is to condemn the government's perceived failure to respond to a reported July 23-24 attack against Somali ethnic groups in Gedamaytu (also known as Gabraiisa) by militias from the Afar region. According to local officials, the fighting displaced many of the town's residents and caused an unspecified number of casualties on both sides. The Addis Ababa-Djibouti corridor transits the Somali region's Sitti Zone in the area where the attack took place.
It as yet remains unclear what impact the blockage of the transport corridor is having on the delivery and availability of essential goods in Addis Ababa. However, authorities will almost certainly deploy increased security along the route - and the Addis Ababa-Djibouti rail line in particular - in an effort to keep freight moving. Even if local officials manage to convince the protesters to suspend their action, similar demonstrations could recur in response to any new violence between the Afar and Somali regions.
Context
Ethnic violence between the Afar and Somali regions has been a lingering issue for years. In 2014, the federal government redrew the border between the two jurisdictions transferring some towns from one region to the other thereby creating further territorial disputes.
Advice
Plan accordingly for potential supply chain delays if operating in areas primarily reliant on traffic via the Addis Ababa-Djibouti corridor. Consider alternative shipping methods for critical freights until the protests abate and rail and truck routes fully reopen. Heed the instructions of local security personnel. Exercise extreme caution if operating in areas along the border between Somali and Afar regions.
