Initially, the protest started in Oromia when students asked the government to stop its plan to expand the capital city Addis Ababa into surrounding farm lands of Oromia. 
Awali, maandamano yalianzia Oromia pale wanafunzi walipoidai serikali kuacha mpango wake wa kuupanua mji mkuu wa Addis Ababa kuelekea katika sehemu za mashamba ya Oromia.