Demonstrations and protests are creating unrest in the Oromia region of Ethiopia, affecting several sectors, including the flower industry in the country. Yesterday, it was restless with roadblocks and stone-throwing and workers leaving the farms ordered to join the protests. As the situation was not safe for anymore, local police accompanied growers from Ziway to Addis Abbaba yesterday night, when the roads were clear. Also at night, some growers took the chance to transport some of their flowers, as transport during the day wasn't possible.
Today, there is still unrest and it is expected to be a restless day. "16 people have been killed during the protests and today, they will be buried. This, in turn, could create new unrest", says Laurenske van den Heuvel of the Dutch Embassy in Ethiopia.
What is the reason for the unrest? The protests started after a Facebook post made by Prominent Ethiopian activist Jawar Mohammed in which he accuses authorities of planning to assassinate him. Ethiopia's police and government denies they are behind it and when the news on the incident spread, protests began on Wednesday. (source: Youtube channel Al Jazeera)
How long the protests will continue is unknown, but yesterday Mohammed called for calm (source: www.aljazeera.com)