The suspected ringleader of Saturday’s failed coup attempt in Ethiopia’s Amhara region has been shot dead by police, the country’s state media reports.
Brigadier General Asaminew Tsige was killed on the outskirts of Amhara’s capital, Bahir Dar, the report added.
Ethiopia’s Chief of Army Staff, General Seare Mekonnen, was killed while trying to foil the coup, the government said.
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has urged Ethiopians to unite against “evil” forces set on dividing the country.
Brig-Gen Asaminew was Amhara’s regional security chief. He was among a group of high-ranking military officers released from prison early last year when the previous government moved to free political detainees in response to public pressure.
The general had been in custody for nine years for allegedly plotting a coup.
Brig-Gen Asaminew openly advised the Amhara people this month to arm themselves, in a video posted on social media.
According to Reuters, Amhara’s top officials had convened a meeting on Saturday to discuss attempts by the general to recruit ethnic militias.
Flags are flying at half-mast after he declared a day of mourning to mark the deaths of government loyalists.
General Seare and Amhara governor, Ambachew Mekonnen, who was also killed on Saturday, were seen as close allies of the prime minister.
General Seare, was killed on Saturday evening by his bodyguard, the prime minister’s press office said.
The bodyguard killed himself immediately afterwards, police said on Monday, contrary to earlier reports that he had been arrested.
Gen Seare was at his residence along with another general, Gezai Abera, who was also killed, the prime minister’s press office said.
The government said it had reason to think the attack was linked to the assassination of the governor of Amhara, Mr Ambachew, a few hours earlier in Bahir Dar.
Mr Ambachew was killed at a meeting in his office along with his senior adviser, Ezez Wasie.
The region’s attorney general was wounded in the attack, and has since died, state media reports.
The funerals of some of the officials are due to take place on Tuesday.
Lake Ayalew has now been appointed as the region’s acting governor.
A heavy contingent of pro-government forces has been deployed in Bahir Dar and the federal capital, Addis Ababa.
The Internet has been shut across the country, days after services resumed following an unexplained blackout of more than a week.
Ethnic violence has hit Amhara and other parts of Ethiopia in recent years.
Since his election last year, Abiy has moved to end political repression by releasing political prisoners, removed bans on opposition political parties, overseen the prosecution of officials accused of human rights abuses and also restored diplomatic relations with Ethiopia’s long-time enemy, Eritrea.
Abiy survived a grenade attack at a rally a year ago on Sunday, which killed two people and left more than 100 injured.
BBC
