Stampede: Over 50 killed as police fire tear gas at protesters

A religious festival in Ethiopia capital turned tragic on Sunday as police fired tear gas at anti-government protesters leading to the death of over 50 people.

National Daily learnt that several thousand of people had gathered at a sacred lake in the town of Bishoftu to take part in the Irreecha ceremony, in which the Oromo community marks the end of the rainy season.

Thousands of people had gathered for the annual Irreecha festival of thanksgiving in the town of Bishoftu, about 40 km (25 miles) south of the capital Addis Ababa.

Crowds chanted “we need freedom” and “we need justice”, preventing community elders, deemed close to the government, from delivering their speeches at the festival.

Some participants were said to have crossed their wrists above their heads, a gesture that has become a symbol of Oromo anti-government protests.

It was further gathered that the event quickly degenerated, with protesters throwing stones and bottles and security forces responded with baton and subsequently released tear gas grenades.

In the stampede that ensued, the tear gas caused panic and at least 50 people fell on top of each other into a ditch.

A frustrated protester, Mohammed said, “This government are dictators, there is no equality or freedom of speech. There is only Tigrayan People’s Liberation Front (TPLF). That’s why we must protest today.”

ALSO SEE: Voting for a better US political system

Historically, it was learnt that in 1991 the TPLF, then a rebel group, overthrew Mengistu Haile Mariam’s dictatorship and now, as a political party stands accused of monopolising power.

Every year, Oromo region mark the Irreecha festival on the shores of Lake Harsadi, which they consider sacred.

Ethiopia is facing its biggest anti-government protests in a decade. They started in the central and western Oromo region in 2015 and spread in recent months to the northern Amhara region.