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Hachalu Hundessa: Popular Ethiopian protest singer shot dead | |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Ethiopian musician Hachalu Hundessa, well known for his political songs, has been shot dead in the capital. | Ethiopian musician Hachalu Hundessa, well known for his political songs, has been shot dead in the capital. |
The 34-year-old had said that he had received death threats and the police are now holding a number of suspects. | |
Hachalu's lyrics often focused on the rights of the country's Oromo ethnic group and became anthems in a wave of protests that led to the downfall of the previous prime minister. | |
Demonstrations broke out in response to the news of the musician's death. | |
Gunshots have been heard in Addis Ababa and people set fire to tyres. | |
Thousands of his fans headed to the hospital in the city where the body of the singer was taken on Monday night, BBC Afaan Oromo's Bekele Atoma reports. | |
To them, he was a voice of his generation that protested against decades of government repression, he says. | |
Police used tear gas to disperse the crowd. | |
The internet was also shut down in parts of the country as protests spread in Oromia regional state. | |
Hachalu's body has now been taken to the town of Ambo, about 100km (62 miles) west of the capital. | |
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has expressed his condolences saying in a tweet that Ethiopia "lost a precious life today" and describing the singer as "marvellous". | |
What were the Oromo protests about? | |
The Oromo, Ethiopia's largest ethnic group, have long complained of political and economic marginalisation. | The Oromo, Ethiopia's largest ethnic group, have long complained of political and economic marginalisation. |
Demonstrations erupted in 2016 and pressure built on the government. | Demonstrations erupted in 2016 and pressure built on the government. |
The ruling coalition eventually replaced then-Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn with Mr Abiy, who is Oromo himself. | The ruling coalition eventually replaced then-Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn with Mr Abiy, who is Oromo himself. |
He has brought in a series of reforms which has transformed what was considered a very oppressive state. | He has brought in a series of reforms which has transformed what was considered a very oppressive state. |
He won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2019 primarily for making peace with long-time foe Eritrea, but his efforts in transforming Ethiopia were also recognised. |