ESAT News (August 24, 2017)
The main market district in the capital Addis Ababa was quiet today due to business and transportation strikes in the larger Oromo region that entered second day today.
No merchandise was arriving in Mercato, which receives most of its produce from the Oromo region. Trucks that deliver produce to retailers were also seen parked idle.
As the strikes in the Oromo region continues for the second day, reports reaching ESAT say security forces were arresting individuals suspected of attacking buses in the last two days. A number of regional buses that ignore the strikes were attacked by stone throwing youth in several towns in the region.
The strikes in the Oromo region were called to demand the release of political prisoners and in memory of those who lost their lives at the hands of security forces in the anti-government protests last summer. It was also called to oppose the recent tax hikes levied by authorities.