Many of the new shareholders were prominent in finance.

But there are already obvious tensions among the new shareholders.

The new shareholders took over the management in May 2005.

But experts say most new shareholders have turned a blind eye to the built-in risk.

And while the funds took in more money from new shareholders than was withdrawn by current ones, that may not be a great safeguard.

Shares worth six million Birr were sold to 700 new shareholders.

Indeed, some analysts said this campaign of "popular capitalism" is supporting stock prices, because three million new shareholders have come into the market.

When a company's shares are sold to new shareholders, there is no transfer of the business - the same company continues to be the employer.

At the same time, the company was taken over by new shareholders and the management changed.

The company announced it was negotiating with current and new shareholders after its shares fell over 15pc in one session.