'Several killed' as Ethiopia police clash with protesters
Aug 7, 2016
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-37004725
Several people are feared dead in clashes in north-western Ethiopia
between police and anti-government protesters, amid a wave of unrest.
On Friday police arrested dozens of demonstrators during massive
rallies in the capital, Addis Ababa.
The government has been facing protests from the two largest ethnic
communities over alleged human rights abuses and other issues.
Authorities have banned demonstrations and blocked social media.
Despite the ban, people took to the streets in several parts of the
country for a third consecutive day on Sunday, Emmanuel Igunza reports
from Addis Ababa.
The worst violence took place in the north-western city of Bahir Dar
in the Amhara region - the homeland of the Amhara people.
Police used tear gas and fired in the air to disperse thousands of
people who had blocked roads and chanted anti-government slogans.
Unconfirmed reports say several people were killed. One resident told
the BBC he had seen a friend being shot in the head by security
forces.
What is behind Amhara trouble
The Oromo protests and Ethiopian unity
Overnight protests continued in the Oromia region, which surrounds
Addis Ababa, with police arresting dozens of people.
The unrest was sparked last November by a plan to expand the capital
into Oromia. This led to fears farmers from the Oromo ethnic group,
the largest in Ethiopia, would be displaced.
The plan was later dropped but protests continued, highlighting issues
such as marginalisation and human rights.
Oromo activists say police have killed hundreds and arrested thousands
of people from their community in recent months.
Received on Sun Aug 07 2016 - 14:41:49 EDT