Eerie calm after deadly clashes
2005-06-09 09:58
Addis Ababa - A heavy police presence was deployed in the tense, near-deserted streets of the Ethiopian capital on Thursday, with most stores shut a day after deadly clashes between police and protestors killed more than 20 people.
The streets were devoid of the city's normally ubiquitous blue-and-white Lada taxicabs and mini-buses as a strike by drivers, called in sympathy with the protestors, entered a second day despite orders from the Addis Ababa administration for a return to work.
Although some small vendors opened their stalls and government-owned enterprises were operating, private banks, insurance companies and other concerns kept their doors shuttered amid unease over possible further unrest.
Amid a heavy police presence, small groups of people milled about in some areas and clumps of pedestrians could be seen walking but an eerie calm settled over the downtown area where much of the violence took place 24 hours earlier.
Authorities defend violent measures taken
Ethiopian authorities have defended their use of deadly force and warned of severe consequences for anyone attempting to gather to protest last month's disputed elections in defiance of a government ban on demonstrations.
At least 22 people were killed and hundreds wounded on Wednesday when police opened fire on crowds during protests against alleged massive ruling party vote fraud in the May 15 polls.
The government has said it regrets the deaths but has accused the opposition of fomenting illegal protests and violence and maintains the police acted to stop hooligans from robbing a bank and attempting a jail break.
However, many of the wounded claim they were shot by security forces for no reason and were merely innocent passers-by caught up in clashes between police and stone-throwing demonstrators.
Opposition leaders, at least one of whom appears to be under house arrest, along with many in the international community condemned the violence and demanded an explanation of the government's decision to use deadly force.
The European Union, the United States, Britain and the United Nations have all urged restraint.