WEB DESK
At least 150 people have been killed in the Oromia region of Ethiopia as violence broke out following the killing of a popular singer.
Known for his political songs, popular singer Hachalu Hundessa’s death has heightened ethnic tensions in Ethiopia, as the protests spread to the Oromia region, where Hundessa was born.
According to reports authorities cut internet services in an attempt to dampen protests, making it difficult for rights monitors to track the killings.
Hundessa was gunned down Monday night in Addis Ababa, a week after he appeared on the Oromia Media Network, where he challenged a question about his support for the national government and noted that he “didn’t support anybody but the Oromo people.”
The musician was ethnic Oromo, a group that has a long history of being discriminated against.
Since Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed came to power in 2018, ethnic groups’ demands for political, social, and economic inclusion and in some cases, independence have been growing