APA-Addis Ababa (Ethiopia) A peaceful anti-war demonstration scheduled for December 10 in Addis Ababa and other cities across Ethiopia has been postponed, the organisers have announced.
The cancellation of the demonstration came after the Ethiopian government detained four leading activists on Thursday, alleging that they were involved in inciting unrest and violence across the country.
Clarifying the postponement of the demonstration on Saturday, the organising committee said the government has framed the planned peaceful demonstration as a “cover for terrorist” activity.
It said the new date for the demonstration is yet to be disclosed.
Citing negative actions by the government intended to impede the peaceful march, the committee claimed to have disrupted plans of certain groups tasked with instigating violence and turmoil in Addis Ababa.
The government’s announcement of the arrest of 97 people in a crackdown in Addis Ababa linked them to Fano Forces in the Amhara region and OLF Shene forces in the Oromo region of Ethiopia.
APA witnessed a massive crackdown targeting youth groups in specific neighbourhoods in the capital, hinting that the actual number of arrests could be significantly higher.
The government prohibited the event, citing alleged “security concerns in the capital within the context of the country’s situation.”
On Friday, the government shifted the narrative, associating the anti-War demonstration with a terrorist plot to foment unrest in Addis Ababa.
Four leading organisers were detained on Thursday.
Reports say they were transferred to Awash Arba detention facility, known for its inhumane prison conditions.
MG/as/APA