The Irreecha festival marks the end of the rainy season and the start of the harvest
ADDIS ABABA, Oct 5 (NNN-AGENCIES) — An annual thanksgiving festival observed by Ethiopia’s largest ethnic group, the Oromo, has been held amid tight security due to fears of political unrest.
Unlike previous years only a few thousand attended the event, known as Irreecha, in the capital Addis Ababa and the town of Bishoftu.
The authorities said this was to stop the spread of the coronavirus.
Ahead of the festival police said they had arrested more than 500 people who had been planning to cause unrest and a terror plot had been foiled.
However, the festival is being held at a time of growing anti government resentment amongst the Oromo population, the authorities may have feared the festival would be used as a platform for protests.
Wearing face masks and white clothes, people from Ethiopia’s Oromo nation descended on the capital Addis Ababa to mark the annual thanksgiving festival known as Irreecha.
Hundreds of people were arrested ahead of the festival, some accused by authorities of plotting terror attacks and a new wave of unrest.
Security was tight with event goers subjected to at least six security checks complete with body searches and, in some areas, sniffer dogs.
The festival usually attracts hundreds of thousands of people, but only a few thousand were allowed to attend this year.
The Oromo, while being the country’s largest ethnic group, traditionally have expressed frustration over perceived marginalization.
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed is the country’s first Oromo leader, but he faces growing criticism by some Oromo that he hasn’t done enough for them.
The Irreecha festival marks the end of the rainy season and the start of the harvest. — NNN-AGENCIES
