A popular Ethiopian musician was shot dead in the country’s capital Addis Ababa, local media reported, citing police.
Hachalu Hundessa, a 36-year-old ethnic Oromo, also known as Haacaaluu Hundeessaa, was shot in the Gelan Condominiums area of the city on Monday night, the Addis Ababa Police Commissioner said.
Geta Argaw said police had arrested several suspects, Fana’s state broadcaster reported Tuesday.
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed expressed his condolences and said that Ethiopia had “lost a precious life”.
“I express my deepest condolences to those of us who are deeply saddened since the news of the death of the brilliant young artist Hachalu Hundesa,” Fana told the prime minister. “We await full investigative reports of this evil act.”
“Let us express our condolences by staying safe and avoiding new crimes,” said Abiy.
Ethiopians on social media, including the country’s ambassador to Washington, expressed shock at the murder of the popular musician.
Deeply sad and shocked by the death of Hachalu Hundessa. We lost a really cool young artist. My thoughts and prayers are with Hachalu’s family and friends.
በአርቲስት ሃቻሉ ሁንዴሳ መቀጠፍ እጅግ አዝነናል :: ለቤተሰቦቹ እና ለወዳጅ ዘመዶቹ መጽናናትን እንመኛለን
– Fitsum Arega (@fitsumaregaa) June 30, 2020
Last night we not only lost #HaacaaluuHundeessaa, a husband, a father of 3 children, a son and a brother; we lost the institution of conscience of the nation #Oromo; a star who, through his music, was the melodic company of the struggles, dreams and hopes that we continue to live. RIP✊🏿 pic.twitter.com/tsn1mI6FXV
– Tsedale Lemma (@TsedaleLemma) June 30, 2020
On Tuesday, youths enraged by the murder of the musician, known for his protest songs, burned tires during the protests in Addis Ababa.
Hachalu, a former political prisoner, rose to fame during protracted anti-government protests, which propelled a fellow Oromo to take office in 2018. The Oromo ethnic group, which has historically faced discrimination, led the mass protests. .
Abiy’s rise to power ended decades of political dominance by ethnic Tigray leaders in this multi-ethnic African nation.
His government has given way to greater political and economic freedoms in what was long one of the most repressive states on the continent. He was awarded the 2019 Nobel Peace Prize for his reforms and his work to end the conflict with neighboring Eritrea.
But increased political activism has also led to increased unrest in a country made up of more than 80 ethnic groups. The Abiy rule has been frequently questioned by local power brokers who demand more access to land, power and resources.
His pan-Ethiopian policy has sparked a backlash from some elements of his own Oromo power base, led by media magnate Jawar Mohammed.
“They didn’t just kill Hachalu. They fired into the heart of the Oromo Nation once again! … You can kill us all, you can never stop us !! NEVER!” Jawar posted on his Facebook page on Tuesday.
Clashes between police and Jawar supporters killed at least 78 people in October last year after the government tried to remove Jawar’s security details.
The elections scheduled for this year have been postponed until next due to COVID-19 in an agreement agreed with the main opposition parties.
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