The nationwide call for boycott of exams and classes is more successful than expected by the organizers. ER is able to confirm that all schools in Dessie have heeded the call and walked out of class today even though the exam was scheduled for next week in Wollo.
In Addis Ababa, all students at three high schools–Ayer Tena, GCA and Shimelis Habte– boycotted exams. The schools are now empty.
At Medihane-Alem, Winget, and Dilachin schools, a few students took exam, but the rest were outside school compounds clashing with Federal Police. At least five busses and unknown number of government vehicles were hit with stones.
Many schools in Addis Ababa postponed exams until Wednesday. There were few police presence in all the schools as the murderous Federal Police is stretched thin trying to cover all schools. In Winget area, students did not face the usual brutal police response as they threw stones. It seemed that the police were outnumbered.
Mean while, the newly formed Association of Kinijit Supporters is also making its presence felt today. It has distributed flyers through out the city calling Addis Ababa residents to heed the call by CUD leaders in prison and rise up.
A nationwide boycott of exams and classes is underway in Ethiopia. In Dessie, all schools are closed today. In some parts of the city students clashed with Federal Police through out the day. In Addis Ababa, some schools such as Ayer Tena and Addis Ketema students boycotted exams and walked out of classes. Students clashed with police around Addis Ketema and Medihanialem. Other schools are scheduled to give exams tomorrow and through out the week. In Gonder and Gojjam, exams will be given next week, but students who spoke with Ethiopia Review said that they will not only sit for the exam, but they will stage daily protest.
Also today, Ethiopian Review has confirmed that a bomb has exploded near Tikur Anbesa hospital’s medical school. The student dormitory and cafeteria sustained some damage. Another bomb exploded at the Commercial Bank of Ethiopia in Lideta causing heavy structural damage to the building. Residents of the area told Ethiopian Review that they believe the bombs were planted by the police to convince the visiting high level U.S. Department of State officials that the opposition has engaged in terrorist activities.