Addis Globe

July 1, 2020

Numerous news outlets reported that 50 to 80 people were killed in Ethiopia’s Oromiya Regional State following the targeted killing of activist and artist Hachalu Hundessa. His songs became the voice of the Oromo ethnic group during protests that led to the downfall of the previous prime minister in 2018. Hachalu was attacked on Monday night in the capital Addis Ababa, and died in hospital shortly afterwards.

Protests reflecting anger at the killing of Hachalu broke out the next morning in the capital and other towns of Oromiya region. Ethiopian police sources said that there were nationwide protests and bomb attacks were carried out on Wednesday. According to the regional police commissioner Bedassa Merdassa, more than 80 people had been killed in the clashes where the deceased included three police officers and 78 civilians.

Also on Tuesday the Oromo opposition leader, Bekele Gerba, and the media mogul Jawar Mohammed were arrested. The state media also reported the arrest of Eskinder Nega, the prominent journalist and activist who runs a pressure group opposed to what it describes as Oromo attempts to dominate the capital.