At least 23 people were killed in a weekend of violence targeting minorities in the ethnic Oromo heartland near the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa, a police source said. The state-owned Ethiopia News Agency (ENA) said an organised mob looted and carried out a series of murders in and around Burayu town. Oromia Regional Police Commissioner Alemayehu Ejigu says 886 people were displaced as a result of the violence. On Twitter, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s chief of staff, Fitsum Arega, said the leader “strongly condemns the killings and acts of violence against innocent citizens.”PM Abiy Ahmed strongly condemns the killings & acts of violence against innocent citizens around Ashawa Meda, Kataa & Fili Doro last night. #Ethiopia — Fitsum Arega (@fitsumaregaa) September 16, 2018The weekend killings followed the triumphant return from exile of leaders of the once-outlawed Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) rebel group who struck an agreement to lay down arms with reformist Prime Minister Abiy.

Source: Ethiopian News September 17, 2018 12:33 UTC