• Violent protests caused havoc across the capital, leaving parts of the city in shambles.

The death of Haacaaluu Hundeessaa, a singer and political activist who was shot to death inside his car Monday evening in the Gelan area of Addis Ababa has left the country in a state of shock. It has also triggered huge protests in Oromia regional state.

For the friends and admirers, the premature death of the man whom they consider as an icon of the Oromo people’s struggle is hard.

The day after his death was announced, groups of youths roamed through neighborhoods in Addis Ababa, shouting slogans and war songs to express their anger. In the Gelan area where Hacahlu was killed, the remains of burnt tires that blackened streets could be seen. Public buildings and private businesses were destroyed, glass shattered and businesses looted.

Gunshots echoed through many neighborhoods and gangs armed with machetes and sticks roamed the streets, Reuters reported. On that same day, three explosions blasts have occurred in Addis Ababa, causing an unspecified number of deaths and injuries, according to the federal police commissioner. Some of those who planted the bomb were killed as well as innocent civilians, according to the police.

On Wednesday morning, things seemed to get back to normal, but gunshots were heard in various parts of the city in the afternoon, BBC has learned. In Addisu Gebeya, Lam Beret, CMC, Summit, and Yeka Abadu area, young people were heard shouting hostile slogans. Particularly, a state of tension and fear reigned in the eastern parts of the city, Kara, and Ayat Real State areas when bands of youths who came from other areas broke cars, brazenly smashed windows and damaged property, according to residents. There were also a variety of attempts to loot shops. Towards late afternoon, the offenses became numerous and repetitive and tensions mounted between residents and the youth until the government deployed soldiers to control outbreaks of violence and looting, it was said. Similarly, there has been trouble reported in well-off districts of the Summit area and some residents said they were on watch out to defend their properties throughout the night. Residents of Feyel Bet told BBC Amharic that there was a climate of fear with looting and other violations during Wednesday night.

No major incidents were reported on Thursday but the streets that normally are noisy and crowded fell eerily silent. Witnesses said, people stayed at home and the economic activities have come to a standstill. Cafes and restaurants remain shuttered.

City and federal police were posted on street corners in many parts of the city. Troops were seen patrolling in areas such as CMC, Haya Hulet, Bole.

Addis Ababa Police commissioner, Getu Argaw, who appeared on state media on Wednesday night said that eight civilians and two security personnel, were killed in the city on Tuesday and Wednesday. “They were killed, either beaten with rocks, or shot, or a series of bombings.” In addition, some 250 private and government vehicles were destroyed and 20 burned throughout Addis Ababa.

This article was first published by BBC Amharic. Translated from Amharic into English by Arefaynie Fantahun.

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