245 arrested in Ethiopia over recent unrest

Photo by Xinhua/Michael Tewelde
ADDIS ABABA, Oct. 29 (Xinhua) — The Ethiopian government on Sunday announced the arrest of some 245 people in connection with the unrest in the central Oromia regional state.

The detainees are said to have connection with the recent violent demonstrations in Buno Bedele zone of Ethiopia’s largest Oromia regional state, state television EBC quoted Addisu Arega, spokesperson of the Oromia regional state.

Spokesmen for Oromia and Amhara regional states had issued statements in the aftermath of the unrest that reportedly caused major business disruptions and burning of various locations.

“Three Amharas and eight ethnic Oromos were killed in Buno Bedele zone of the Oromia regional violence perpetrated by bodies trying to create division between the two ethnic groups,” Arega said.

He said the situation has calmed down and individuals suspected of orchestrating the violence have been arrested.

Spokesperson for the Amhara regional state, Nigusu Tilahun, also said an undetermined number of people have been displaced by the violence.

The East African country had in August lifted a state of emergency that was enacted on October 2016 after violent demonstrations left many private and state-owned firms in flames.