A foiled coup in the Ethiopian state of Amhara that left five senior officials dead, including the army’s chief of staff, has thrust ethnic militias in one of Africa’s fastest-growing economies into the spotlight. Ethiopia’s 100 million citizens come from dozens of ethnic groups with competing claims to land, resources and influence. Local leaders are now taking advantage of the new freedoms to build ethnic power bases. While Ethiopia’s constitution guarantees all ethnic groups the right to a referendum on self-determination, the government has long forbidden such votes. Ethnic militias are committing vigilante violence, killing local government officials, burning homes and raping women, according to Addis-based officials, diplomats and aid workers.

Source: Ethiopian News June 25, 2019 03:55 UTC