Ethiopia’s fifth high ranking official dies, attempted coup ringleader still on the run as flags fly on half mast

By Samuel Abuya

Another high ranking official in the Ethiopian government has succumbed to injuries sustained during the Saturday’s attempted coup bringing the number of those killed to five even as the flags around the country continue to fly at half-mast following the unforeseen attacks.

Mr Migbara Kebede, the attorney general of Amhara state in northern Ethiopia, is said to have been attacked in the regional headquarters, Bahir Dar, according to local state-run media. Mr Migbara sustained serious gunshot injuries after gunmen attacked them killing the state’s Governor, Ambachew Mekonnen and his senior advisor Ezez Wasie.

A few hours after the attack in Amhara, the Chief of state of the Ethiopian army, Gen Seare Mekonnen, was shot dead by his very own bodyguard in the country’s capital, Addis Ababa. According to Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed the army chief and another officer, Gen Gezai Abera, died while trying to stop the attempted coup.

Ethiopia has since declared a national day of mourning following the killing of its five top government officials. The government has termed the killings as well ‘coordinated killings’ which were part of the attempted coup in northern Amhara state.

The United Nations has called on the Ethiopians to restrain themselves and avoid any more violence following the high-profile assassinations.

The Abiy Ahmed government has said the attempted coup was led by the head of security in Amhara state, Asaminew Tsige, who was still on the run by the time of going to press. In 2008, he was found guilty of a coup attempt again and was handed a life sentence but he was released courtesy of an amnesty from Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed after 9 years in jail.

Meanwhile, flags across the country are flying at half-mast to mark the day of mourning as television stations continues to run messages and statements of condolences and solidarity from various persons and quarters, both from the federal and regional offices.

Religious leaders have also added their voices and called for calm.

The attempted coup happened at a time when Ethiopia’s neighbors Sudan are also having a hard after the country’s long serving president Omar al-Bashir was ousted by the army after a series of demonstrations from the public.

Africa Global News Publication