Ethiopia: At least 9 persons have been shot dead and dozens wounded in clashes between Ethiopian security forces and protestors demanding for the release of opposition political leader Bekele Gerba and Media personality Mohammed Jawar.
The duo were arrested days after the killing of an iconic Oromo singer, Haacaaluu Hundeessaa which occurred on June29.
On Tuesday, there were uprising clashes in Oromia region after a social media campaign demabding for the duo’s release made circulations.
Jawar, a long time supporter of Abiy and Bekele, the leader of opposition Oromo political party had turned vocal critics of Abiy’s government something that prompted their arrests.
The unrest according to local political analysts, highlights growing divisions in Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s Oromo power base as powerful ethnic activists, who were once allies, increasingly challenge his government.
The Ethiopian Human Rights Commission and Health workers reported death cases in 13 different locations in the Oromia region near the capital Addis Ababa.
The commission “is deeply alarmed by the loss of life amid protests in Oromia, and calls on authorities to prevent security forces from using excessive force,” read excerpts of the statement.
Haacaaluu’s death sparked protests in Addis Ababa and spread to Oromia, killing at least 178 people.
Anonymous sources told reports that On Tuesday, Harar region’s Hiwot Fana and Jegol hospitals admitted 32 people with gunshot wounds, most from Oromia’s Aweday town, six of the wounded died and one was in critical condition at Hiwot Fana Hospital.
Other 30 people were admitted in different hospitals in Ciro east of Addis Ababa, 25 of them with bullet wounds.
Reports indicates that Two people died on Tuesday and a third on Wednesday.
EHRC condemned the acts calling for an immediate end to government the abuse of human rights.
“Oromia is still reeling from the grim weight of tragic killings this year. These grave patterns of abuse should never be allowed to continue.” EHRC tweeted.
