28 May 2018 | 09:22 AM UTC
Ethiopia: National Day celebrations May 28
National Day celebrations to be held nationwide on May 28; business and public sector disruptions expected
Event
Ethiopia will hold National Day celebrations on Monday, May 28, also known as the Downfall of the Derg (“committee” in Amharic). Events commemorating the end of the Derg regime in 1991 will be held throughout the country, with the largest celebrations in the capital Addis Ababa. Business and traffic disruptions are expected throughout the country during the holiday.
Context
The Derg was a military regime led by Mengishu Haile Mariam (1974-1991). The regime fell in 1991 following significant territorial gains by Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) rebel forces.
Advice
Individuals in Ethiopia, particularly in Addis Ababa, are advised to expect crowded conditions, longer travel times, and increased security measures during the celebrations.
