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Hachalu Hundessa: Popular Ethiopian protest singer shot dead | Hachalu Hundessa: Popular Ethiopian protest singer shot dead |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Demonstrations have broken out in Ethiopia following the shooting dead of musician Hachalu Hundessa, well known for his political songs. | |
Two people have died during protests in one town, doctors told the BBC. | Two people have died during protests in one town, doctors told the BBC. |
Hachalu's songs 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. | Hachalu's songs 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. |
The 34-year-old had said that he had received death threats. | The 34-year-old had said that he had received death threats. |
The police are now investigating the killing, which took place on the outskirts of the capital, Addis Ababa. | |
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. | 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. | Police used tear gas to disperse the crowd. |
Gunshots have been heard in Addis Ababa and people set fire to tyres. | Gunshots have been heard in Addis Ababa and people set fire to tyres. |
In the eastern town of Chiro, two people were shot dead during protests, a medic at the local hospital told BBC Afaan Oromo. | In the eastern town of Chiro, two people were shot dead during protests, a medic at the local hospital told BBC Afaan Oromo. |
In another town - Adama - one person was injured and government buildings have been set ablaze. | In another town - Adama - one person was injured and government buildings have been set ablaze. |
The internet has also been shut down in parts of the country as the protests spread in Oromia regional state. | The internet has also been shut down in parts of the country as the protests spread in Oromia regional state. |
'More than an entertainer' | |
By Bekele Atoma, BBC Afaan Oromo | |
Hachalu was more than just a singer and entertainer. | |
He was a symbol for the Oromo people who spoke up about the political and economic marginalisation that they had suffered under consecutive Ethiopian regimes. | |
In one of his most famous songs, he sang: "Do not wait for help to come from outside, a dream that doesn't come true. Rise, make your horse ready and fight, you are the one close to the palace." | |
The musician had also been imprisoned for five years when he was 17 for taking part in protests. | |
Many like him fled into exile fearing persecution but he remained in the country and encouraged the youth to struggle. | |
Hachalu's body was being taken to his hometown, Ambo, about 100km (62 miles) west of the capital, but protesters have insisted that he is buried in Addis Ababa. | |
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". | 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". |
The musician's death and the protests comes as political tensions are rising following the indefinite postponement of elections, on account of the coronavirus pandemic, that were due in August. | |
They would have been the first electoral test for Mr Abiy after he came to power in April 2018. | |
What were the Oromo protests about? | What were the Oromo protests about? |
The Oromo, Ethiopia's largest ethnic group, have long complained of being side-lined. | |
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. | 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. |