Ethiopia's Army Chief of Staff Shot Dead in Coup Attempt
Addis Ababa: Ethiopia’s army chief of staff was shot while trying to thwart an attempted coup on Saturday in a federal state north of the capital Addis Ababa, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said.
Speaking on state television late on Saturday, Abiy stated that General Seare Mekonnen was one of several casualties, including senior military official Gize Abera. However, his press secretary, Billene Seyoum, later told Reuters that it was unclear whether General Seare had been killed or wounded.
“He was shot by people who are close to him,” Abiy said.
Horn of Africa's Prime Minister also mentioned that the general had been trying to prevent plotters from carrying out a coup in the Amhara state, one of Ethiopia’s nine federal states, while regional government officials were in a meeting.
The developments emphasise the difficulties facing the nation's new Prime Minister as he tries to spearhead political reforms, to open up the once isolated, security-obsessed country of 100 million people on the Horn of Africa.
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Since coming to power in April last year, Abiy Ahmed has released political prisoners, removed bans on political parties and prosecuted officials accused of gross human rights abuses, but his government is battling mounting violence.
Ethnic bloodshed, long held in check by the state’s iron grip, has flared up in many areas, including Amhara, where Ambachew Mekonnen led the regional government.
“There are a few people who were killed while others were injured,” Abiy stated.
The US Embassy said on Saturday that it was aware of reports of gunfire in Addis Ababa, though Reuters could not confirm those reports.
“Chief of Mission personnel are advised to shelter in place,” the Embassy said on its website.
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.”
Residents in Amhara’s capital Bahir Dar said late on Saturday there was gunfire in some neighbourhoods and some roads had been closed off.
Despite the unrest and displacement, Ethiopia is due to hold a national parliamentary election next year. Several opposition groups have called for the polls to be held on time.
(Reuters)
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