Deaths Reported as Protests Flare in Ethiopia’s Oromia Region
- Region has seen anti-government demonstrations since November
- Government acknowledges some deaths, calls demos illegal
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Protests in Ethiopia’s Oromia region turned deadly, the government and witnesses said, the latest in a wave of unrest that’s posed one of the biggest challenges to the African nation’s ruling coalition since it came to power 25 years ago.
Chanting crowds gathered in Ambo in central Oromia early Saturday, with one person killed by security forces as they tried to disperse protesters, resident Solan Terfasa said by phone. In Nekemte, western Oromia, witness Aga Wirtu said he saw at least four people shot dead in a crackdown on demonstrators. Communications Minister Getachew Reda called the protests illegal.