Taxi drivers defy authorities in Ethiopia, Egypt

ADDIS ABABA/CAIRO: Taxi drivers in Ethiopia and Egypt have been protesting against measures they say may prevent them from making a proper living.

In Addis Ababa, countless blue minibus taxes went on strike on February 29, an almost unheard-of event in this country with a government that maintains tight control. The taxi drivers were protesting about a new directive that would allow authorities to cancel their driving licences after three traffic violations, what some are calling “three strikes and you’re out”.

After that a driver would have to go back to driving school, re-do his driving test and then get back his driver’s licence if he passes. The traffic authorities say the measure is necessary because of the high number of traffic accidents.

Ethiopian taxi drivers complain that the “three strikes” rule would put them at the mercy of corrupt traffic officials.

Although the directive applies to all drivers, the taxi drivers say driving is their livelihood. Others say the taxi drivers know they will bear the brunt of the measure because they so often break the traffic rules, including by overloading, speeding and driving unroadworthy vehicles.

But the government, apparently concerned by the potential of the strike to stir wider social discontent, partly backed down by postponing the implementation of the new law for three months. It also promised not to punish the striking drivers if they went to work the next day, which they dutifully did.

The government may have had in mind a 1973 taxi strike in the capital which some Ethiopians believe may even have provided some of the momentum which contributed to the downfall of Ethiopia’s last emperor Haile Selassie the next year.

Meanwhile, in the Egyptian capital, Cairo, Egyptian security forces fired a tear gas canister yesterday to disperse taxi drivers blocking a major road in protest at the car hailing app Uber, witnesses said.

The canister was thrown at the drivers after they left their cars, blocking all but one lane, causing a major traffic jam as police vehicles arrived.

Taxi drivers have been protesting Uber’s presence in the country in recent weeks, leading to a decline in the availability of cars on the app as Uber drivers fear being stopped by taxi drivers or the police.

Egyptian newspapers have reported officials saying drivers from Uber and Careem – another car hailing app – were violating Egyptian law. Uber will be having talks with government officials this week to find solutions to this stand-off and ways to coexist, Uber Egypt general manager Anthony el-Khoury said. Taxi drivers say Uber drivers have an unfair advantage because they do not pay the same rate of taxes. – ANA