Ethiopia: No Armed Police at Irrecha Festival, Says Regional GovernmentSeptember 25, 2017 - As the Oromo thanksgiving day, Irrecha religious festival, is drawing closer, the Ethiopian government has announced that weapons at the upcoming Irrecha religious festival are banned in order to avoid violence. The statement from Ethiopia’s largest regional state, the Oromia region, comes ahead of the October 1 thanksgiving gathering. “Armed police will be confined to the outskirts of the festival site as per the request of the religious leaders. Last year security forces at the Irrecha gathering dispersed anti-government protesters with tear gas and gunfire, triggering a deadly stampede that officials said killed at least 50 people. “People are told to avoid displaying anti-government signs and wearing black clothes during the event.”Source: WashingtonPostBack Print

Source: Ethiopian News September 25, 2017 18:56 UTC