Businesses Continue To Be Targeted In Ethiopia Violence

The Ethiopian government says the property of at least 10 companies, including foreign-owned businesses, have been burnt down and looted in the Oromia region as protests continue in the country.

The latest round of trouble has been sparked by the deaths of at least 55 people after a stampede at a religious festival that turned into an anti-government protest.

Three days of national mourning followed the deaths on Sunday. The opposition, which puts the death toll much higher, blames the action of security forces for causing panic.

Information Minister Getachew Reda told the BBC that the continued violence was the work of organised criminals rather than being part of anti-government protests.

He said that the people causing the damage have been arriving at the scene on motorbikes carrying petrol bombs.

Leaders from the Inter-religious Council of Ethiopia have appealed for calm and a national dialogue.

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Protest In Ethiopia Affects Dangote’s Cement Factory

The ongoing protest in Ethiopia’s Oromia region has affected a cement factory owned by Alhaji Aliko Dangote yesterday. According to reports, the factory was torched by angry protesters, the government said.

Ethiopia media also reports that the protesters were angered by the death of over 50 people during a stampede at a religious festival in the country which took place on Sunday. Eyewitnesses have however said hundreds of people died in the stampede as against the figure of the government.

During the attack on the factory located in Ada Berga, reports said the protesters descended on factory trucks and machinery at the cement factory and burnt them.

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Sad! Hundreds Die In Ethiopia During ‘Peaceful’ Protest

Dozens have been killed and injured in Ethiopia's Oromia region after security forces confronted protesters at a festival, witnesses say.

Some people died in a panicked stampede after police employed tear gas and baton charges, they said.

Thousands had gathered for a religious festival in Bishoftu, 40km (25 miles) from the capital Addis Ababa.

Some reports said police responded after anti-government protesters threw stones and bottles. Others said demonstrators were entirely peaceful.

Ethiopia's government said in a statement that "lives were lost", adding: "Those responsible will face justice".

An Oromo activist, Jawar Mohamed, is quoted as saying nearly 300 people were killed and many more injured. He said troops and a helicopter gunship had opened fire, driving people off a cliff and into a lake.

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