Ethiopian army chief, regional president killed in attempted coup

Ethiopia's army chief of staff and at least three other senior officials have been shot dead during an attempted coup in Amhara state, according to the office of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed at his first press conference on 25 August 2018. REUTERS/Kumera Gemechu

The Amhara state president Ambachew Mekonnen and his adviser were among the dead.

Spokeswoman Billene Seyoum told journalists a "hit squad" led by Amhara's security chief Asaminew Tsige burst into a meeting on Saturday afternoon and shot regional president Ambachew Mekonnen and another top official.

The men were "gravely injured in the attack and later died of their wounds," she said.

በወቅታዊ ሁኔታዎች ላይ የተሰጠ ዝርዝር ጋዜጣዊ መግለጫ::

Press release regarding current issues. #PMOEthiopia pic.twitter.com/dSEC2qx0EE

  Office of the Prime Minister - Ethiopia (@PMEthiopia) June 23, 2019

"Several hours later in what seems like a co-ordinated attack, the chief of the staff of the national security forces Seare Mekonnen was killed in his home by his bodyguard."

Also shot dead was a retired general who had been visiting him, Billene added.

The bodyguard has been apprehended while Asaminew is still on the loose, sources said.

Analysts said the incident showed the seriousness of the political crisis in Ethiopia, where efforts by Abiy to loosen the iron-fisted grip of his predecessors and push through reforms has unleashed a wave of unrest.

"These tragic incidents unfortunately demonstrate the depth of Ethiopia's political crisis," said International Crisis Group analyst William Davison.

"It is now critical that actors across the country do not worsen the instability by reacting violently or trying to exploit this unfolding situation for their own political ends," the expert said.

(with AFP)