Addis Ababa authorities ramped up security checkpoints and vehicle searches as crowds gathered across the capital on September 26, 2026, for the Meskel-Demera celebration, where Culture and Sport Minister Shewit Shanka urged national unity and collective efforts toward countrywide development goals.
Security Checkpoints and Major Road Closures Across Addis Ababa
The security posture throughout Addis Ababa and major cities shifted noticeably ahead of the holiday. Police established checkpoints and conducted vehicle searches, particularly during nighttime hours, to manage pedestrian and vehicular congestion.
Travelers moving through the city faced disruptions as authorities implemented road closures around key gathering sites. The traffic restrictions directly impacted multiple primary routes leading into the central district, forcing commuters to seek alternate paths around the capital.
- Meskel Square – Bambis – Urael Church
- Meskel Square – Filamingo – Getu Commercial – Wollo Sefer– Bole Road
- Meskel Square – Legehar – Mexico Square
- Meskel Square – Harambe Hotel – ENDF Ground Force HQ – Senga Tera
- Meskel Square – ECA – National Palace – Sheraton intersection
- Meskel Square – St. Joseph School – Meskel flower intersection (Debrezeit Road)
Minister Shewit Shanka Calls for Unity at Meskel Square
While security forces managed the urban transit grid, national leaders gathered at Meskel Square for the festivities. Culture and Sport Minister Shewit Shanka addressed the assembly, calling for public unity and cooperative work to advance national interests, including the country’s pursuit of seaport access.
Shewit emphasized that the holiday transcends simple religious observance, serving as a vital anchor for historical preservation, cultural identity, and social cohesion among diverse communities. She also credited the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church with safeguarding the tradition across generations, allowing it to achieve global cultural recognition.
Drawing a direct analogy between community cooperation and the celebration’s central bonfire, the Minister likened the nation’s joint endeavors to pieces of wood brought together for the Demera. She noted that steady development gains across various sectors stem directly from collective labor and urged citizens to protect and build upon those achievements.
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