The killing of popular political singer Hachalu Hundessa sparked protest in Minnesota in the US
ADDIS ABABA, July 2 (NNN-AGENCIES) — At least 50 people have been killed in Ethiopia’s Oromia region during violent protests over the killing of a popular musician in the country, a local official said.
Getachew Balcha, the spokesperson for the Oromia regional state said that many others were injured in the clashes, and that there was significant destruction to property.
The Ethiopian federal police has also said that one police officer was killed during the unrest.
Hundessa, who was critical of the government in his songs, was gunned down on Sunday evening in his vehicle in the capital Addis Ababa.
Police have arrested two people in connection to the incident.
Thousands of fans had gathered to mourn Hachalu Hundessa, who was shot dead on Monday night while driving.
Police say 35 people, including prominent politician Jawar Mohammed, have been arrested.
The motive for Hachalu’s killing remains unclear.
But police say they have arrested two people in connection with the killing.
Hachalu, 34, recently said that he had received death threats. He will be buried on Thursday.
His songs focused on the rights of the country’s Oromo ethnic group and became anthems in a wave of protests that led to the downfall of the previous prime minister in 2018.
The authorities shut down the internet on Tuesday in parts of the country as the protests against his killing spread across Oromia region – there are reports of more unrest on Wednesday.
Trouble started on Tuesday when Hachalu’s body was being transported to his native town of Ambo, west of Addis Ababa for burial, but Jawar and his supporters intercepted it and tried to return it to the capital.
Federal Police commissioner, Endeshaw Tassew, said that a stand-off ensued.
“There was a disturbance between federal security forces and others, and in the process one member of the Oromia special police force was killed,” Endeshaw said.
“Thirty-five people including Jawar Mohammed have been put under arrest. The security forces have taken eight Kalashnikovs, five pistols and nine radio transmitters from Jawar Mohammed’s car,” he added.
Jawar, a media mogul, has led calls for more rights for the Oromo, Ethiopia’s largest ethnic group, who have been politically marginalised by previous governments.
He supported reformist Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, himself an Oromo, but has since become an ardent critic. — NNN-AGENCIES
