- Federal Police describes the activist’s claim as wrong
- Chaos in several towns as police disperse protesters
- Clashes reported between opponents and supporters of Jawar
Angry protests have broken out in Addis Ababa and several Oromia towns after influential journalist and activist Jawar Mohammed announced on his Facebook page that an attempt was made to remove his guards on Tuesday night.
Huge marches converged on the outskirts of Addis Ababa, bringing parts of the streets to a standstill and a crowd also gathered in front of the activist’s residence located around the Embassy of Japan in Bole.
A large number of security forces have been seen deploying around the capital city, eyewitness said.
The Federal Police Commissioner Endeshaw Tasew told state media that the messages posted on social media by Jawar Mohammed to his followers and supporters, alleging he was about to be arrested and attacked was wrong. “The claim that actions were taken by police against him is wrong. Neither the government nor the police have taken actions,” the commissioner said.
Jawar wrote on his Facebook page saying at around midnight on Tuesday, two vehicles pulled up and told his security personnel to pack their stuff and leave the compound quietly, without alerting him. “The security asked them why they’re asked to leave. They were told it’s for training purposes,” he added.
But his security personnel refused, even after they received a telephone call from “commander of VIP protection services who warned them to leave immediately and quietly or face consequences,” Jawar wrote. Jawar posted the purported phone conversation between one of his security details and a commander. “As pressure mounted, the security came to my room woke me up and told me what was happening. I called the commander asking for an explanation. Initially, he said he was just doing the routine change and they will be replaced. I pushed him why he was doing at midnight not day time,” for which the person in question said he was just following orders.
The Federal Police Commissioner admitted the government decided to drop providing security protection for exiled political figures who returned to the country, including Jawar Mohammed.
The incident has sparked rallies in several Oromia towns and clashes between police and protesters have broken out in Ambo, Adama, and Shashemene. At least three people were taken to hospital in Ambo town, according to preliminary information the BBC Amharic has received. The radio also reported on the clashes in Adama between opponents and supporters of Jawar.
Earlier on Tuesday Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, speaking in parliament had warned unnamed media owners against fomenting unrest. “Those media owners who don’t have Ethiopian passport are playing both ways. When there is peace you are playing here and when we are in trouble you not here,” Abiy was quoted as saying by Reuters. “We tried to be patient. But if this is going to undermine the peace and existence of Ethiopia, whether you speak Amharic or Oromiffa, we will take measures. You can’t play both ways.”
Image: DW Amharic
dear there were no clashes , only the activist Jawar got afraid when the government decides to stop giving him a VIP protection service. that is why his supporters gathered around his house to guard him so that he could stop being afraid and feel safe. the question is . is it necessary? and how long is his supporters will give him a protection? and from who are they protecting him using a stick and a pics of rock ? ……..
Calm down, guys. Jawar is a petty demagogue (like Eskinder Nega). We all remember him arriving after the event and claiming he in fact was the one who remote-organized and led Qeeroo uprising! Think about this for a minute. A fellow who never held a decent job and was loafing in America until he emerged as OMN director now thinks he should be granted security detail befitting a head of state. Talk of self-aggrandizing. I think his fall is immiment.
. Two times two means the militarized police is coming!!!
I have some questions about the phone conversation between one of Jawar’s security details and a commander, how is it that the federal police talk to him in Oromiffa? Does that mean every telephone conversation of the security detail with their boss is recorded? If the security guard is assigned by the government, will he continue working?
Jawar himself has orchestrated this drama himself. He wanted to show his ability to mobilize public opinion on his behalf and mob justice. Plain and simple.