Gondar continues strike despite tight security

ESAT News (October 18, 2016)

Strike by residents of the city of Gondar entered second day on Tuesday despite presence of heavy security that threatens residents to stop the strikes and forcefully open businesses.

Residents of Gondar began a three-day strike on Monday, the first such strike since the declaration of state of emergency. Businesses and transportation services remained closed on Tuesday.

Residents told ESAT on Monday that the strike was in protest against the state of emergency declared by the regime imposing restrictions on freedom of speech and assembly. The residents also said they were also staging the strike to denounce the mass killings and crackdowns throughout Ethiopia.

Tensions remained high in the city as authorities warn that punitive measures would be taken against business owners who refused to end the strike.