ADDIS ABABA: Violence in Ethiopia that began with protests against Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and quickly morphed into ethnic clashes has left 67 people dead in Oromia state, a police official said Friday. “The total number of dead in Oromia is 67,” said Kefyalew Tefera, the regional police chief, adding that five of the dead were police officers. Jawar is credited with promoting protests that swept Abiy to power last year but he has recently become critical of some of the premier’s policies. In an interview at his residence in Addis Ababa, Jawar told AFP that Abiy – named Nobel Peace laureate two weeks ago – seemed to be taking Ethiopia back to “the old ways” of authoritarian rule. Their feud highlights divisions within Abiy’s Oromo support base that could complicate his bid for a five-year term when Ethiopia votes in elections currently planned for May 2020.

Source: New Strait Times October 26, 2019 03:00 UTC