Hachalu Hundessa: Ethiopian activist murdered and singer buried while 81 killed in mass protests

07/02/2020 USA


The 34-year-old singer was shot by unknown gunmen in Addis Ababa on Monday, sparking protests in the capital that have spread to several cities in the country’s Oromia region.

Three police officers and 78 civilians, including an anonymous uncle of the musician, were among those killed during the “chaos” in the city of Ambo, Oromia region police commissioner Bedesa Merdasa said in a press conference broadcast on Wednesday. by state media.

Thirty-five people were also arrested during the protests, including prominent Oromo political activist Jawar Mohammed, Federal Police Commissioner Endeshaw Tasew said Tuesday night.

Jawar is a former ally of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, who is also an Oromo, but has become a critic of the government. According to Tasew, he was detained during a clash between the police and protesters trying to prevent Hachula’s body from leaving the capital. Journalist Eskinder Nega was also arrested, Tasew said, giving few details.

The motive for Hachalu’s murder remains unclear, but an investigation is ongoing and several suspects have been arrested, the police commissioner said.

The reaction to his death has spread to the United States. Ethiopians in Minnesota gathered and wove their country’s flags at a rally on Wednesday.

The Ethiopian diaspora community in Minnesota mourns Hachalu's death on Wednesday.

Who Was Hachalu Hundessa?

Hachalu, a legendary figure from the Oromo ethnic group, was part of that movement and the 2015 protests that eventually led to political reforms in Ethiopia in 2018.
Her songs highlighted the frustrations of people in Oromia, where people often complained about being politically marginalized; Her music was the background to the political reform campaign that eventually saw the end of the previous administration.

By Thursday, protests in the capital Addis Ababa had greatly lessened when military troops patrolled the deserted streets of the city.

Hachalu was buried Thursday in a brief private ceremony in his hometown of Ambo in the Oromia region, local media reported.

The internet was cut in Ethiopia amid protests over the death of the singer and activist

Internet blackout

Internet watchdog Netblocks, which tracks connectivity in the country, said the internet closed in Ethiopia for the third day, according to CEO Alp Toker on Thursday morning.

“The general population is disconnected … which is quite significant and people broadcast on the Internet, especially during the time of the crisis. Right now there is an information blackout,” Toker said.

Human rights groups have accused authorities of routinely shutting down internet and telecommunications services during the protests, as well as the country’s only telecommunications provider that is the exclusive property of the state.

Human Rights Watch said the Internet blackout has fueled tensions and raised concerns about the crackdown on protesters, and urged authorities to re-establish the connection.

The human rights group said three protesters were killed by security forces, while a doctor in Dire Dawa city said he treated eight people with gunfire from security forces to disperse the protests.

“Rather than restoring calm, the authorities’ internet shutdown, the apparent excessive use of force and the arrest of political opposition figures could further worsen the volatile situation. The government should take immediate steps to reverse these actions or risk sinking further into the crisis. ” The rights group said in a statement.

CNN’s Eleni Giokos contributed to this report.

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