At least 50 Oromo people died last year at the Irreecha festival after police fired tear gas and started a stampede. A year ago, Firommisa Darasa barely made it out of Ethiopia's Irreecha festival alive, managing to escape from a deep ditch where dozens perished. Last year's bloodshed at the annual religious festival held by Ethiopia's largest ethnic group, the Oromo people, became a turning point in months of anti-government protests that prompted the government to declare a nationwide state of emergency. Those planning to attend this year's Irreecha festival say they are hoping for the best when Sunday's gathering begins in the resort town of Bishoftu, southeast of the capital Addis Ababa. However many Oromo say their grievances were not addressed and sporadic strikes and protests still occur.

Source: Ethiopian News September 30, 2017 10:41 UTC