The death toll from protests and ethnic violence that swept Ethiopia last week following the murder of a popular singer from the Oromo ethnic group has jumped to 239, according to police official figures.
Popstar Hachalu Hundessa, a hero to many Oromo who saw him as the voice of their marginalization, was shot dead by unknown attackers on Monday of last week, fuelling ethnic tensions threatening the country's democratic transition.
It is worth mentioning that, the internet was cut last week to try to dampen the protests and made it difficult for rights monitors to track the scores of killings.
More than 2,280 people were arrested in Oromia and Addis Ababa, said police.
Arrests included that of a well-known Oromo activist, Jawar Mohammed, and more than 30 supporters. It is not clear what charges they might face.
The Oromo makeup Ethiopia’s largest ethnic group but had never held the country’s top political post until Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed came to power in 2018.
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