The US Embassy in Ethiopia issued a security alert advising American citizens to avoid Bole International Airport on March 10 amid reports of planned demonstrations. The warning specifically cited potential protests in Meskel Square and the Oromia Region, with embassy personnel prohibited from traveling to Oromia that day. A subsequent update clarified that travel to the airport was permitted after the initial restriction.
The alert followed an Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 737 crash near Bishoftu, a town 48 kilometers southeast of Addis Ababa. The aircraft, en route to Nairobi, crashed shortly after takeoff with 149 passengers and eight crew members aboard. Authorities have not confirmed the cause of the incident, which occurred as the plane was still climbing.
The embassy stated it was unaware whether the scheduled protests had received official approval. Personnel were urged to avoid Meskel Square and limit movement in Addis Ababa on March 10. No direct link between the crash and the demonstrations was confirmed.
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