The latest unrest in the Horn of Africa nation flared on Saturday afternoon in Amhara, one of nine autonomous regions, when a “hit squad” attacked a meeting of top officials, Abiy’s office said. Ethiopia’s army chief and the president of a key region have been shot dead in a wave of violence highlighting the political instability in the country as Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed tries to push through reforms.
Spokeswoman Billene Seyoum told journalists the attack was led by Amhara’s security chief Asaminew Tsige, and resulted in regional president Ambachew Mekonnen and another top official being shot.
The men were “gravely injured in the attack and later died of their wounds,” she said.
“Several hours later in what seems like a co-ordinated attack, the chief of the staff of the national security forces Seare Mekonnen was killed in his home by his bodyguard” in the capital Addis Ababa, she added.
Also shot dead was a retired general who had been visiting him, Billene added.
Ethiopia’s army chief and prez of a key region shot dead in violence
