Casablanca, Morocco (ADV) – The Ethiopian capital is still under a state of tension after clashes over the raising of a controversial flag, which have caused several people to be injured and the massive deployment of military forces.
According to the Ethiopian Herald, the forces have been working intensively to restore order to the city, which has had hundreds of closed trading posts and a lack of traffic control after the siege of areas affected by violence.
The riots, which began two days ago, were triggered when supporters of a previously banned rebel group, the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF), mostly from Oromo ethnic villages surrounding Addis Ababa, entered the city waving faction flags.
This gesture angered some citizens, who clashed with OLF adherents, armed with sticks and stones against each other.
Many Oromo, representing about a third of the country’s 100 million inhabitants, see the OLF and flag as a resistance against decades of alleged discriminatory practices by elites belonging to other ethnic groups.
However, some see these emblems as a symbol of the desire to divide the region from the rest of the nation.
In statements to state media, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed called for calm and indicated that everyone has the right to freedom of expression.
There will not be a single winner when the Ethiopians fight for flags or other controversial issues,’ he stressed, while calling for dialogue.
© Bur-csa – Oumaima Mourtada – African Daily Voice (ADV)
