Ethiopia Failed Coup: Fifth Death, National Mourning, Mastermind Killed
Africa News
Attorney General of Ethiopia’s Amhara region has succumbed to injuries sustained after an attack that led to the death of the region’s president over the weekend.
Migbara Kebede becomes the fifth casualty of the coup attempt in Bahir Dar, the regional capital. The BBC also reports that the mastermind of the attack, Asaminew Tsige, had been shot dead by police, on Monday.
The death of Ambachew Mekonnen and Ezez Wasie – the regional president and his advisor respectively was confirmed by the government on Sunday.
“The situation in the Amhara region is currently under full control of Federal Government in collaboration with the Regional Government, which in accordance with the consitution is being led by the Vice President, Lake Ayalew,” a statement from the Prime Minister’s office said.
Over in the capital Addis Ababa, Army Chief Seare Mekonnen and another retired officer (Maj. Gen. Gezai Abera) who were reportedly working to thwart the overthrow of the Amhara regional government were shot and killed by the army chief’s bodyguard.
Day of national mourning
Flags are flying at half mast across the country in honour of the officers who were lost in the events of Saturday.
Reports indicate that state broadcasters are running condolence messages whiles religious leaders have continued to urge for calm.
“A national committee has been formed to organize military honours for General Seare Mekonnen and retired Major General Gezai Abera. The committee will update and provide information as needed,” Abiy’s office said.
It also said the Amhara region will deal with funeral preparations for the deceased officials.
Regional and global reactions
The United Nations has called for restraint even though the African Union, AU, based in Addis Ababa; has yet to issue a statement on the developments.
Regional neighbours have, however, reacted amongst others, Eritrea and Somalia in the Horn of Africa. Turkey and Qatar on Monday issued strongly worded condemnations.
Eritrea and Somalia reacted via tweets with the former sending condolences whiles the latter added a condemnation of the action and solidarity with the people of Ethiopia.
“The Government of Eritrea has conveyed its message of condolence to the Government & people of Ethiopia on the killing, in a failed coup attempt, of the President Amhara Regional Government, his advisor, Chief of Staff of Ethiopia’s National Defense Forces and Maj. Gen.(Rt) Gezai,” the message from Asmara read.
Internet remains blocked
Internet rights group, NetBlocks, reported that service had been cut ostensibly in connection with the incidents in Bahir Dar and Addis Ababa.
Authorities have usually cut off the internet several times in the past for security reasons. The most recent eight-day cut was because of an annual national examination. The government and telecom provider never confirmed if that was the real reason.
Residents in Amhara’s capital Bahir Dar said late on Saturday there was gunfire in some neighborhoods and some roads had been closed off.
Early on Sunday, Brigadier General Tefera Mamo, the head of special forces in Amhara, told state television that “most of the people who attempted the coup have been arrested, although there are a few still at large.”
The BBC reporter says as at Monday morning people in the capital Addis Ababa were going about their normal routine.
The Prime Minister’s office in its statement named one Brigadier General Asaminew Tsige as the mastermind of the alleged coup and deadly attacks.
“It is to be recalled that Brigadier General Asaminew Tsige was given amnesty and released from imprisonment last year,” the statement of June 23 read in part.
The shooting occurred when federal officials were meeting the state president – an ally of Abiy – to discuss how to rein in the open recruitment of ethnic militias by Asaminew, one Addis-based official told Reuters.
A week earlier, Asaminew had openly advised the Amhara people, one of Ethiopia’s larger ethnic groups, to arm themselves, in a video spread on Facebook and seen by a Reuters reporter.
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s government faces growing pressure from regional strongmen, including in Amhara, a flashpoint in growing ethnic violence in Ethiopia.
Attorney General of Ethiopia’s Amhara region has succumbed to injuries sustained after an attack that led to the death of the region’s president over the weekend.
Migbara Kebede becomes the fifth casualty of the coup attempt in Bahir Dar, the regional capital. The BBC also reports that the mastermind of the attack, Asaminew Tsige, had been shot dead by police, on Monday.
The death of Ambachew Mekonnen and Ezez Wasie – the regional president and his advisor respectively was confirmed by the government on Sunday.
“The situation in the Amhara region is currently under full control of Federal Government in collaboration with the Regional Government, which in accordance with the consitution is being led by the Vice President, Lake Ayalew,” a statement from the Prime Minister’s office said.
Over in the capital Addis Ababa, Army Chief Seare Mekonnen and another retired officer (Maj. Gen. Gezai Abera) who were reportedly working to thwart the overthrow of the Amhara regional government were shot and killed by the army chief’s bodyguard.
Day of national mourning
Flags are flying at half mast across the country in honour of the officers who were lost in the events of Saturday.
Reports indicate that state broadcasters are running condolence messages whiles religious leaders have continued to urge for calm.
“A national committee has been formed to organize military honours for General Seare Mekonnen and retired Major General Gezai Abera. The committee will update and provide information as needed,” Abiy’s office said.
It also said the Amhara region will deal with funeral preparations for the deceased officials.
Regional and global reactions
The United Nations has called for restraint even though the African Union, AU, based in Addis Ababa; has yet to issue a statement on the developments.
Regional neighbours have, however, reacted amongst others, Eritrea and Somalia in the Horn of Africa. Turkey and Qatar on Monday issued strongly worded condemnations.
Eritrea and Somalia reacted via tweets with the former sending condolences whiles the latter added a condemnation of the action and solidarity with the people of Ethiopia.
“The Government of Eritrea has conveyed its message of condolence to the Government & people of Ethiopia on the killing, in a failed coup attempt, of the President Amhara Regional Government, his advisor, Chief of Staff of Ethiopia’s National Defense Forces and Maj. Gen.(Rt) Gezai,” the message from Asmara read.
Internet remains blocked
Internet rights group, NetBlocks, reported that service had been cut ostensibly in connection with the incidents in Bahir Dar and Addis Ababa.
Authorities have usually cut off the internet several times in the past for security reasons. The most recent eight-day cut was because of an annual national examination. The government and telecom provider never confirmed if that was the real reason.
Residents in Amhara’s capital Bahir Dar said late on Saturday there was gunfire in some neighborhoods and some roads had been closed off.
Early on Sunday, Brigadier General Tefera Mamo, the head of special forces in Amhara, told state television that “most of the people who attempted the coup have been arrested, although there are a few still at large.”
The BBC reporter says as at Monday morning people in the capital Addis Ababa were going about their normal routine.
The Prime Minister’s office in its statement named one Brigadier General Asaminew Tsige as the mastermind of the alleged coup and deadly attacks.
“It is to be recalled that Brigadier General Asaminew Tsige was given amnesty and released from imprisonment last year,” the statement of June 23 read in part.
The shooting occurred when federal officials were meeting the state president – an ally of Abiy – to discuss how to rein in the open recruitment of ethnic militias by Asaminew, one Addis-based official told Reuters.
A week earlier, Asaminew had openly advised the Amhara people, one of Ethiopia’s larger ethnic groups, to arm themselves, in a video spread on Facebook and seen by a Reuters reporter.
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s government faces growing pressure from regional strongmen, including in Amhara, a flashpoint in growing ethnic violence in Ethiopia.
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