Ethiopia's Addis Ababa city authorities on Monday warned they would take measures against taxi owners who continue boycotting service.

The city administration said in a statement that those taxi owners not ready to resume service must return their licenses, number plates and ownership books to the authorities until Wednesday.

In the statement, it strongly warned that legal measures would be taken against taxi owners failing to implement this order.

It also prohibited the use of taxis for any purpose other than rendering transportation service, according to the statement.

In Addis Ababa last week, clashes between police and opposition supporters left at least 46 people dead. The largest opposition Coalition for Unity and Democracy (CUD) called for a general strike, starting on Monday, and keeping shops closed and taxis off the streets.

Although dependable peace has been regained in the city, most taxis are yet to resume services.

The city government has finalized preparations to provide alternative transportation means soon with a view to alleviating the transportation shortage following the boycott by taxi owners, it said.

According to the law pertaining to transportation, any owner of a means of public transport not willing to continue the business must return his/her license within 24 hours to the pertinent authority, it said.

The government has blamed CUD for last week's violence, saying that CUD leaders would be prosecuted.

Source: Xinhua