At least eight people have died in violent protests over the killing of a musician in Ethiopia.
34 year old Hachalu Hundessa, well known for his political songs was shot and killed by unknown assailants after he received death threats.
Most of his lyrics had focused on the rights of the country’s Oromo ethnic group and were used during previous protests.
Thousands of his fans besieged a hospital in the capital Addis Ababa where his body was taken.
They expressed outrage over the killing of the musician who condemned the decades of human rights abuses.
Reports say the police used tear gas to disperse the crowd. Eyewitnesses have confirmed that the police fired gunshots to disperse the crowd.
#BREAKING Massive protests are currently going on in Addis Ababa & other parts of Ethiopia after a well-known singer was murdered last night in Addis Ababa. Hundessa’s songs are in the Oromo language were played during the protests that led to the resignation of the former gov’t. pic.twitter.com/Hg9CCQaspX
— Mowliid Haji Abdi (@MowliidHaji) June 30, 2020
Police investigate death of musician
Police in Addis Ababa say they are probing the killing of the popular musician.
Two people died during the protest in the eastern town of Chiro.
Six others died on the way to the hospital and 80 people sustained injuries as well in Adama.
Some government buildings have been set ablaze. The Ethiopian government has shut down the internet as the protests spread in Oromia regional state.
The Oromo is Ethiopia’s largest ethnic group but it has long complained of political and economic marginalisation.
There have been several demonstrations starting in 2016 to force reforms, something that led to the exit of the previous prime minister.
Ethiopian prime minister, Abiy Ahmed expressed his condolences about the singer’s death saying “We have lost a precious life. Since the death of the young artist of this magnificent and vibrant young artist, I wish for comfort for all of us who are in deep sorrow.”
Source: Africafeeds.com
