Ethiopia: Death toll in anti-Abiy protests rises to 67 in Oromia region as of Oct. 25 /update 3

Event

The Oromia regional police commissioner announced on Friday, October 25, that the death toll in two days of protests denouncing Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed had risen to 67 in Oromia region, including 62 protesters and five police officers. The demonstrations come after Oromo activist Jawar Mohammed reported that police had surrounded his home in Addis Ababa and attempted to withdraw his security detail. Authorities previously claimed on Thursday, October 24, that the death toll from protests in Addis Ababa and other cities stood at 16 and that dozens of others had been wounded.

Army forces had reportedly deployed to seven cities affected by the recent protest activity as of Friday afternoon (local time); a heightened security presence is to be expected in demonstration-affected cities over the near term. Additional protests are possible over the coming days. Disruptions to transportation and business are to be anticipated around demonstration sites.  

Advice

Individuals in Ethiopia, and particularly those in Addis Ababa, are advised to monitor the situation, avoid all protests and demonstrations due to potential violence, anticipate heightened security measures and disruptions to transportation and business near large public gatherings, and adhere to instructions issued by local authorities and their home governments.