Nearly 100 people were killed during weekend protests in two Ethiopian cities: Oromia and Amhara. Participants of several demonstrations organized throughout the country had some altercations with national police and security forces. Amnesty International claims that the most tragic incidents happened Bahir Dar. At least 30 people died there on Sunday. Since a few months there has been an unprecedented wave of protests in Ethiopia which had its crisis peak on the weekend. Organisation noted that security forces fired live bullets at peaceful protesters.

The government blocked the internet over the weekend, alleging that “anti-peace elements” based abroad and online activists are responsible for the recent violence. In a published statement, Amnesty International reveals that at least 67 people were killed in the Oromia region and that another at least 30 were shot and killed in the northern city of Bahir Dar. The rights group cited “credible sources” and said hundreds of people were detained.

Protest r the result of emerging tension in the relation between government and citizens. Banners said that people need freedom, honest not-corrupted government, and respect. Ethiopia, a close security ally of the West, is often accused by rights groups of stifling dissent and riots.

According to bloggers and commentators, recent events shows in a very clear way that there is no place for the peaceful demonstration in Ethiopia. It means that relatively stable times have passed. Authorities seem to be unwilling to even pretend that opposition is wrong.

We will not tolerate bodies that aim to overthrow the government and the constitutional order of the country by force,” Ethiopia’s deputy prime minister, Demeke Mekonnen, told Fana Broadcasting Corporate on Monday.

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