[Click here for video update.]
12:20 PM ADDIS ABABA TIME: UDJ has ended the protest march to avoid violent confrontation with the security forces.
11:30 AM ADDIS ABABA TIME: The UDJ leadership is considering to prematurely end the march because the security forces are making it impossible to march to Meskel Square. Kebena neighborhood is now flooded with tens of thousands of protesters, and more people continue to arrive.
11:00 AM ADDIS ABABA TIME: Most of the roads and bridges to Meskel Square are now blocked by heavily armed police. Most of the marchers are still in the Kebena neighborhood. It seems the regime is determined not to allow the march to take place.
10:35 AM ADDIS ABABA TIME: UDJ leaders are still unable to march toward Meskel Square. The police are saying that the UDJ leaders and the marchers can only go to Jan Meda. This is just one more proof that Ethiopia is ruled by thugs. [Watch videos here]
10:20 AM ADDIS ABABA TIME: The UDJ leaders are unable to leave the Kebena neighborhood where their office is located. They are being blocked by police. Police have blocked main roads to Meskel Squre.
10:05 AM ADDIS ABABA TIME: The security forces are now blocking the roads to Meskel Square. They are trying to force marchers not to arrive at Meskel Square. UDJ leaders are negotiating with the police.
9:50 AM ADDIS ABABA TIME: The marchers are arriving at Meskel Square. The security forces are being hostile as expected. There is a massive security presence. The marchers are avoiding confrontations with police, even as they are provoked. The police are acting like thugs. Watch latest video here.
9:00 AM ADDIS ABABA TIME: Thousands of Addis Ababa residents are currently gathering at the headquarters of Union for Democracy and Justice party in Ethiopia’s capital. See photos below. Click here for video.
