Scores killed Anti-Government protests in Tigray

Anti-government protests in Ethiopia’s northern Tigray region have claimed the lives of several people last week, multiple sources from the region confirmed to the Nation.

According to credible sources, at least 28 people were killed since the protests began earlier last week in the regional capital Mekelle and other towns.

“Five died in Mekelle, 17 in neighboring Wukiro town. Federal forces are using live bullets to quell the protests,” said one medical worker who declined to be named over security concerns.

“Dozens were injured and many more were arrested” he told the Nation adding, “young protesters who were throwing stones at security forces were had been shot dead”

The latest development has made it life more difficult to the people.

“There is little or no human activity in the past few days. Shops and private facilities were closed.  There is no transportation in the city,” said the medical worker, also a resident of Mekelle.

The civil disobedience comes shortly after a team of elders and religious leaders sent by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed-led central government arrived in Mekelle on Monday last week.

Their arrival has angered Mekelle residents and the Tigrinyans at large as the delegates entered the city.