News: Protests happening in multiple cities in Amhara region denouncing reports of targeted attacks against Amhara community
Addis Abeba, April 20/2021 – Hundreds of thousands of the Amhara nation are rallying in various cities and towns in Amhara regional state as of yesterday to protest against recent reports of targeted killings, attacks and displacement of memebrs of the Amhara community residing particularly in western Oromia and in Metekel zone of the Benishangul Gumuz regional states.
Protesters are carrying banners denouncing the attacks as well as the ruling Prosperity Party (PP) with crowds chanting “it doesn’t represent us.” The Amhara chapter of the ruling PP, Amhara Prosperity Party (APP), is a key ally of PM Abiy’s ruling coalition vying to win the upcoming general election scheduled on June 05.
The protests came in the wake of the latest violence in the Oromo Special zone, as well as in South Wollo & North Shewa zones of Amhara region, which are now under the federal army command post.
Many protesters are also chanting messages denouncing Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed who is increasingly being blamed for failing to stop the attacks. Some also carried banners blaming PM Abiy Ahmed for the June 22 multiple assassinations of senior regional officials including the president Ambachew Mekonnen and the regional attorney general Migbaru Kebede.
Many protesters are also chanting messages denouncing Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed who is increasingly being blamed for failing to stop the attacks
On Sunday, the opposition National Movement of Amhara (NAMA) issued a blistering criticism on the Prime Minister accusing him of aiding and abetting the “OLF/Shene” rebels, who the Amhara regional authorities blame for all the attacks against the Amhara community. NAMA also classified the attacks as “state sponsored terrorism” against the Amharas.
Since yesterday, protests are being held in various cities and towns including in the regional capital Bahir Dar, which is happening today, as well as major cities including Debre Markos, Weldiya, and Desse, among others. Protests were also staged by students in various universities including the Addis Abeba university here in the capital and Debre Markos Universiry. AS
