Ethiopian officials say at least 78 people were killed during protests last week over the treatment of a prominent activist.
The prime minister’s spokeswoman Billene Seyoum told reporters on Thursday that 409 people had been detained over the unrest.
She also revealed that investigations are ongoing and the death toll and number detained could rise.
Activist Jawar Mohammed said that police surrounded his home in Addis Ababa and tried to withdraw his government security detail.
That got his supporters to pour unto the streets last week to protest against his alleged treatment.
Most of the protesters from the Oromo ethnic group expressed anger at the Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.
They accused him also an Oromo of betraying them by mistreating Jawar.
Ethiopian authorities said that those civilians who died did so in “a very senseless act of violence” in the Oromiya and Harari regions and the eastern city of Dire Dawa.
Seyoum said security forces have arrested more than 400 people in connection with the killings and the destruction of properties.
Mr Abiy was recently awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for ending hostilities with neighbouring Eritrea.
But the recent violence in his own country poses a challenge to his resolve to reform the Ethiopia and achieve reconciliation there.
Source: Africafeeds.com
