Addis Ababa, January 17, 2026 (FMC) — The Addis Ababa Police Commission has announced temporary road closures in various parts of the capital in connection with the upcoming Timket–Ketera (Ethiopian Epiphany) celebrations.
Timket–Ketera will be observed on January 18 and 19, 2026, with hundreds of thousands of worshippers and tourists expected to gather at major celebration sites across Addis Ababa. The festivities will mainly take place at Jan Meda, Tirunesh Beijing in Akaki Kaliti, Lemi Kura Arabsa Sefera, and Nefas Silk Laphto’s Hachalu Hundessa Square.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the police said roads in and around these areas will be closed to vehicular traffic from the start until the conclusion of the celebrations. The measure aims to ensure the safety of holiday participants and ease traffic congestion as large crowds take to the streets.
Accordingly, the following roads will be closed at designated points:
The route from Ferensay Legacion to 6 Kilo, closed at the French Embassy Bridge
The road from Kebena Roundabout to Menelik II Hospital, closed at Kebena Roundabout
The route from the German Embassy Bridge to Menelik II Hospital, closed at the German Embassy Bridge
The road from Korea Sefer to Menelik II Hospital, closed at Korea Sefer
The route from Ginfle to Sanford School, closed at Ginfle Bridge
The road from St. Mary Church to Jan Meda, closed at St. Mary
The route from the Ministry of Finance to 6 Kilo Total, closed at the Ministry of Finance
The road from 6 Kilo Square to Ferensay Legacion, closed at 6 Kilo Square
Additional closures will be implemented in other celebration areas, including:
The route from Kality Training Center to Tirunesh Beijing
Roads from UNISA to Kality Alem Bank toward Tirunesh Beijing
The route from Koye Roundabout via Walia, closed at Tirunesh Beijing
Roads around the Lemi Kura Arabsa Settlement area
The police also noted that roads around Hachalu Hundessa Square in Nefas Silk Laphto will be closed starting from 11:30 a.m. on January 18, 2026, until the end of the Timket–Ketera celebrations.
The Addis Ababa Police Commission has urged motorists to plan ahead, remain aware of the temporary road closures, and use alternative routes during the festival period.
Drivers and residents are also encouraged to share feedback or seek assistance through the police’s toll-free hotlines—990, 991, 987, and 816—or via telephone numbers 011-1-26-43-59, 011-5-52-63-02/03, 011-5-52-40-77, 011-5-54-36-78, and 011-5-54-36-81. The Community Participation mobile application is also available for communication, the police added.