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-53233531
The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 5 | Version 6 |
---|---|
Hachalu Hundessa: Anger erupts after Ethiopian protest singer killed | Hachalu Hundessa: Anger erupts after Ethiopian protest singer killed |
(32 minutes later) | |
Seven people have died in Ethiopia in protests that followed the killing of musician Hachalu Hundessa, well known for his political songs, medics have told the BBC. | |
Police are investigating his death. | |
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 in 2018. | 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 in 2018. |
The 34-year-old had said that he had received death threats. | The 34-year-old had said that he had received death threats. |
But it is not clear who was behind his shooting on the outskirts of the capital, Addis Ababa. | |
He was attacked at around 21:30 local time (18:30 GMT) on Monday when he was driving. | |
Thousands of his fans headed to the hospital in the city where the body of the singer was taken on Monday night. | |
To them, he was a voice of his generation that protested against decades of government repression. | |
'More than an entertainer' | 'More than an entertainer' |
By Bekele Atoma, BBC Afaan Oromo | By Bekele Atoma, BBC Afaan Oromo |
Hachalu was more than just a singer and entertainer. | 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. | 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." | 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. | 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. | Many like him fled into exile fearing persecution but he remained in the country and encouraged the youth to struggle. |
Royal statue toppled | Royal statue toppled |
In Addis Ababa, police used tear gas to disperse the crowd outside the hospital and gunshots have been heard in the city where people set fire to tyres. | In Addis Ababa, police used tear gas to disperse the crowd outside the hospital and gunshots have been heard in the city where people set fire to tyres. |
In Adama, 90km (56 miles) south-east of Addis Ababa, five people died after being shot during demonstrations and 75 others were injured, hospital chief executive Dr Mekonnin Feyisa told BBC Afaan Aromo. | In Adama, 90km (56 miles) south-east of Addis Ababa, five people died after being shot during demonstrations and 75 others were injured, hospital chief executive Dr Mekonnin Feyisa told BBC Afaan Aromo. |
Nineteen others were injured in nearby Dera town, he added. | Nineteen others were injured in nearby Dera town, he added. |
Meanwhile, in the eastern town of Chiro, two people were shot dead during protests, a medic at the local hospital told the BBC. | Meanwhile, in the eastern town of Chiro, two people were shot dead during protests, a medic at the local hospital told the BBC. |
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. |
Hachalu's body was being taken to his hometown, Ambo, about 100km west of the capital, but protesters tried to stop it and insisted that he should be buried in Addis Ababa. | Hachalu's body was being taken to his hometown, Ambo, about 100km west of the capital, but protesters tried to stop it and insisted that he should be buried in Addis Ababa. |
In the eastern city of Harar, protesters have pulled down a statue of a royal prince - Ras Makonnen Wolde Mikael - who was the father of Haile Selassie, Ethiopia's last emperor. | In the eastern city of Harar, protesters have pulled down a statue of a royal prince - Ras Makonnen Wolde Mikael - who was the father of Haile Selassie, Ethiopia's last emperor. |
The statue shows Ras Makonnen, an important military figure and former governor of Harar province in the 19th Century under then-Emperor Menelik II, sitting on a horse. | The statue shows Ras Makonnen, an important military figure and former governor of Harar province in the 19th Century under then-Emperor Menelik II, sitting on a horse. |
In a recent interview with local TV station Oromia Media Network, Hachalu had said that people should remember that all the horses seen mounted by old leaders belonged to the people. | In a recent interview with local TV station Oromia Media Network, Hachalu had said that people should remember that all the horses seen mounted by old leaders belonged to the people. |
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. | 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. | 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. | 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. |