Addis Taxi Drivers Get a Financial Break

William Eagle
Voice of America
Washington, D.C.
May 13, 2005

Interview with Kassahun Addis - 1,994KB - MP3

News reports out of the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, say the mayor has given taxi drivers a break:  the city government has reportedly forgiven their fines for traffic violations.

Kassahun Addis is a reporter for the weekly English-language newspaper The Reporter in Addis Ababa.  He told English to Africa reporter William Eagle this is seen as an attempt to sway the drivers toward voting for the ruling EPRDF party in this week-end's parliamentary elections.

Mr. Kassahun also says many of the taxi drivers he’s spoken to favor the opposition.  He says that’s because many of them have been unemployed, or have family without work.  He says the government has alienated some potential voters by calling unemployed youth “dangerous vagrants.”