Ethiopia – The funeral of Ethiopian singer Hachalu Hundessa has been held as unrest over his death has spread from Oromia region where he was seen as a hero.
Troop have been deployed in the capital, Addid Ababa, where armed gangs were roaming to target ethnic Oromos. It is said that at least 81 people have been killed in protests in Oromia since Hachalu was shot dead on Monday night.
The motive for his death is still unclear but the 34-year-old singer said he had received death threats.
Hundessa wrote songs that focused on the rights of the country’s Oromo people, the country’s largest ethnic group, and became anthems in a wave of protests that led to the downfall of the previous prime minister in 2018.
Ethnic and religious tensions have intensified since the aftermath of the killing.
“Hachalu is not dead. He will remain in my heart and the hearts of millions of Oromo people forever,” said his wife Santu Demisew Diro at the funeral.
“I request a monument erected in his memory in Addis where his blood was spilt,” Ms Santu said.
The stadium was not full as many residents in Ambo stayed at home amidst heavy security after days of violence. There have also been reports that mourners tried to delay the funeral until the release of influential Oromo politician Jawar Mlohammed.
