Ethiopia: Three-day strike in Amhara and Oromia regions Feb. 12-14

Event

Youth movements in the Amhara and Oromia regions have called for a three-day stay-at-home strike starting on Monday, February 12. According to local media reports, businesses will remain closed and public transportation services will not operate through February 14. As of Monday, roads linking most towns in Oromia (e.g. Burayu, Adama, and Sebeta) to the capital Addis Ababa have been blocked. Security Forces have reportedly attacked students protesting at Haramaya University and the campus has now been fully closed. Further related unrest and violence cannot be ruled out.

Context

The aim of the general strike is to demand the resignation of the government, as well as to demand the government unconditionally release all political prisoners and Defense Forces to leave regional towns.

Advice

Individuals in the Amhara and Oromia regions are advised to avoid any large gatherings, as security forces may crack down on protests with excessive force, and keep abreast of any changes to the political and security situation.

On a more general note, due to the terrorist threat linked to the Somali group Al-Shabaab, many Western governments advise their citizens against all travel to the Ogaden region and other areas along the border with Somalia, as well as nonessential travel to the rest of the Ethiopian Somali region. The Eritrean, Sudanese, South Sudanese, and Kenyan borders are also considered high-risk destinations