This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-48734572

The article has changed 11 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
Ethiopia army chief shot dead in Ethiopia attacks Ethiopia army chief shot dead in Ethiopia attacks
(32 minutes later)
The chief of staff of the Ethiopian army, Gen Seare Mekonnen, has been shot dead in the capital, Addis Ababa, state media confirm.The chief of staff of the Ethiopian army, Gen Seare Mekonnen, has been shot dead in the capital, Addis Ababa, state media confirm.
He was shot trying to prevent a coup attempt against the administration in Ethiopia's northern Amhara region, PM Abiy Ahmed said on state TV. He and another officer died trying to prevent a coup attempt against the administration in Ethiopia's northern Amhara region, PM Abiy Ahmed said.
In Amhara itself, the regional governor, Ambachew Mekonnen, was killed along with another official. In Amhara itself, the regional governor, Ambachew Mekonnen, was killed along with an adviser.
Ethnic violence has hit Amhara and other regions in recent years.Ethnic violence has hit Amhara and other regions in recent years.
The prime minister went on TV dressed in military fatigues to denounce the attacks.
Since his election last year, Mr Abiy has moved to end political repression by releasing political prisoners, removing bans on political parties and prosecuting officials accused of human rights abuses.Since his election last year, Mr Abiy has moved to end political repression by releasing political prisoners, removing bans on political parties and prosecuting officials accused of human rights abuses.
The US state department has warned its staff in Addis Ababa to stay inside, saying it is aware of reports of gunfire in the city on Saturday.The US state department has warned its staff in Addis Ababa to stay inside, saying it is aware of reports of gunfire in the city on Saturday.
What do we know about the attacks?What do we know about the attacks?
Information is scanty, with reports that the internet has been down, but Prime Minister Abiy, dressed in military fatigues, went on TV to make his announcement. Gen Seare was killed along with another general, Gezai Abera, by a bodyguard who is now in custody, the prime minister's press office says.
He said the chief of staff had been shot by "mercenaries". In Amhara the governor was killed along with senior adviser Ezez Wasie, while the region's attorney general was wounded.
The Amhara regional officials were killed by their own colleagues during a meeting, he added. Lake Ayalew has been appointed the region's acting governor.
A statement from the prime minister's office added: "The coup attempt in Amhara regional state is against the constitution and is intended to scupper the hard-won peace of the region. The prime minister's office accused Amhara's regional security chief, Asaminew Tsige, of plotting the coup attempt. It was unclear whether he had been arrested.
"The coup attempt in Amhara regional state is against the constitution and is intended to scupper the hard-won peace of the region," the office added.
"This illegal attempt should be condemned by all Ethiopians and the federal government has full capacity to overpower this armed group.""This illegal attempt should be condemned by all Ethiopians and the federal government has full capacity to overpower this armed group."
Residents in Amhara's regional capital, Bahir Dar, have reported hearing heavy gunfire. Country profile
The ruling party in Amhara has accused a former security chief, who was released from jail after Mr Abiy came to power, of being behind the violence. Residents in Amhara's regional capital, Bahir Dar, reported hearing heavy gunfire.
Why is Amhara so important?Why is Amhara so important?
The homeland of the Amhara ethnic group is the country's second most populous region and has given Ethiopia its state language, Amharic.The homeland of the Amhara ethnic group is the country's second most populous region and has given Ethiopia its state language, Amharic.
Violence between the Amhara and Gumuz ethnic groups left dozens of people dead last month in Amhara and its neighbouring region, Benishangul Gumuz.Violence between the Amhara and Gumuz ethnic groups left dozens of people dead last month in Amhara and its neighbouring region, Benishangul Gumuz.
Ethnic violence, typically sparked by land disputes, has displaced nearly three million people across Ethiopia.Ethnic violence, typically sparked by land disputes, has displaced nearly three million people across Ethiopia.
Another issue the prime minister is having to grapple with is unrest within the military.Another issue the prime minister is having to grapple with is unrest within the military.
In October, he said that hundreds of soldiers who had marched to his office to demand a pay rise, had wanted to kill him.In October, he said that hundreds of soldiers who had marched to his office to demand a pay rise, had wanted to kill him.