• Violence in several towns has taken ethinc dimensions

The death toll following protests over the death of a popular singer rose to 81, the Ethiopian government confirmed Wednesday. 81 people, including three members of the security forces, have been killed in several towns of the Oromia region in the last two days, the Oromia’s police commissioner Ararsa Merdesa said. Seven persons have been killed in Addis Ababa, he said.

The towns of Bale Robe, Ziway, Shashemene, and Adama of the Oromia region have been shocked by a wave of ethnically-motivated violence that has seen dozens of assaults, many of which have resulted in deaths, witnesses say. In Ziway town, 160 km south of Addis Ababa, innocent people have been tagged the name Neftegna and they have been targetted for assaults, according to multiple witnesses. At least six persons were killed in the town and its environs, DW reported citing officials. Arsonists set buildings ablaze and damaged properties, Getachew Balcha, the spokesperson for the Oromia regional government said. Nearly 60 hotels, including 24 hotels that cater to tourists, were set on fire, with much of them completely destroyed, Seyoum Getu of DW who visited the area reported. Other properties, like 34 parked cars, were burned, he said.

Riots were reported in different parts of Addis Ababa, Arat Kilo, Megenagna, and Kazanchis. Young people were seen roaming the streets, carrying sticks and knives. Gunshots were heard in several neighborhoods.