fbpx
Africa IGAD Latest News

Five linked to arson attack on mosques arrested in Ethiopia – gov’t

Ethiopian PM Dr. Abiy Ahmed (File/Supplied/Nyamilepedia)

December 22nd 2019 (Nyamilepedia) – Five people suspected of burning down four mosques in Ethiopia’s Amhara region were arrested on Saturday as rising inter-communal and ethnic violence threatens political reforms initiated by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, the Reuters reported quoting a Ethiopian regional government spokesman.

Five people who are suspected of leading and organizing the attacks have now been arrested,” the Reuters quoted Getnet Yirsaw, the Amhara state spokesman, as saying.

Yirsaw also said that a church in the town of Motta, 377 km (234 miles) north of the capital Addis Ababa, had been targeted in an arson attack. It was unclear who was responsible for that attack.

The president of Amhara’s regional Islamic council said the attack in Motta was unexpected and that businesses owned by Muslims had also been burnt and vandalized.

Abiy has introduced sweeping political and economic reforms, which have won him international praise, culminating in the award of the Nobel Peace Prize for peacemaking efforts with long-time enemy Eritrea. But the reforms have also stoked ethnic and religious tensions as regional strongmen have been emboldened to compete over influence and resources.

Abiy condemned the violence on Saturday and said he would not allow extremists to tarnish Ethiopia’s history of religious tolerance. He urged called on citizens to reject hateful agendas.

The International Crisis Group think-tank warned in a report published this week of an uptick in attacks on churches across Ethiopia and suggested that rising inter-communal tensions pose a threat ahead of elections scheduled for May 2020.

Related posts

Intel Leak: Bona Malwal Briefed SPLM/N Representatives In London On South Sudan

Editorial Team.

SSPDF says detained SPLA-IO officer is a “high-way” criminal

Editors

Gathering of Nuer community youth body in Uganda calls for peace, unity

Nyamilepedia

Tell us what you think

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

//oagnolti.net/4/4323504
%d bloggers like this: