Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Asharq Al-Awsat
Asharq Al-Awsat
World
Asharq Al-Awsat

Deadly Grenade Attack at Ethiopian PM’s Rally

Ethiopia Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (3rd L) waves to his supporters during a rally on Meskel Square in Addis Ababa on June 23, 2018. YONAS TADESE / AFP

Scores were injured on Saturday in a grenade explosion at a rally for Ethiopia's new reformist Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed attended by thousands in Addis Ababa.

The rally was being held in Ethiopia's capital in support of the 41-year-old ex-soldier who has outlined a series of radical reforms since taking office in April.

His chief of staff Fitsum Arega said: "As of now, based on reports from police and hospitals, 83 people are injured. Of the 83 injured, six are in critical condition."

"No death so far has been reported," said Arega after earlier reports of deaths among the crowds at the capital's Meskel Square.

Abiy described the incident as "an unsuccessful attempt by forces who do not want to see Ethiopia united."

He spoke in a televised address following the explosion, which occurred minutes after he finished his speech at the rally.

The rally began as a show of exuberance, with supporters wearing clothes displaying Abiy's image and carrying signs saying "One Love, One Ethiopia."

In a cowboy hat and T-shirt, Abiy told the tens of thousands of supporters that change was coming and there was no turning back.

"For the past 100 years hate has done a great deal of damage to us," he said, stressing the need for even more reforms.

After the explosion the state broadcaster quickly cut away from coverage of the rally, which broke up with people singing, chanting and going back to their homes.

Abiy stunned Ethiopians this month by saying he was prepared to fully implement a peace deal with Eritrea signed in 2000 and meant to end a two-year war between the country and its neighbor that devolved into a stalemate resulting in huge military build up by both countries.

It is one of many policy shifts announced since Abiy took office, moves that could reshape Ethiopia’s relations with its neighbors and have equally dramatic impacts inside the country of 100 million people.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.