Ethiopia protesters block main highway to the sea
Tuesday January 15, 2019
By Aaron Maasho
Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed speaks during a media conference at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, October 29, 2018. Michel Euler/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo
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But the sudden changes in a nation where political dissent has long been repressed have inspired many of its myriad ethnic groups to jockey for power and influence.
The latest deadly clashes between ethnic Afars and Issa Somalis, who are a minority in the area, broke out in December. Locals say dozens have been killed.
Afar elders said the attacks were an attempt to break away areas inhabited by Issas away from the region. An Afar rebel group said the attacks were supported by ethnic Somalis from Djibouti and Somalia. Afars majority. Isse minority
Protesters were demonstrating against violence and a government order for local militias to pull out from disputed areas and be replaced by federal soldiers.
"The militias provided protection for civilians. We will protest until the government reverses its decision," Bule told Reuters.
Government officials were not immediately available for comment.
(Editing by Katharine Houreld and Robin Pomeroy)
Ethiopia protesters block main highway to the sea
ADDIS ABABA (Reuters) - Protesters in Ethiopia's northeastern Afar region have blocked the landlocked country's main route to the sea to demonstrate against surging ethnic violence, organizers said on Monday. The demonstrators started a