By RFIPubliée on 23-06-2019Modified on 23-06-2019 at 17:06

In Ethiopia, the authorities denounced a coup attempt in the night of Saturday to Sunday, June 23, in the region of Amhara, one of the nine states in Ethiopia. At least four people were killed. Among the victims are the Chief of Staff, assassinated in Addis Ababa, and the president of the Amhara region killed in his province in the north-west of the country. The spokeswoman for the federal government says the two events are related to what she calls "a failed coup attempt at the Amhara regional government level."

On the evening of Saturday, around 18:30 local time, a meeting between officials of the regional Amhara State takes place in Bahir Dar, the regional capital.

Around the table, the president of the region, Ambachew Mekonnen, a councilor, the regional justice minister and perhaps other people we do not know about. Armed men burst in and shoot. The president and his adviser are shot dead. The Minister of Justice is seriously affected.

Then, a few tens of minutes later, in Addis Ababa, the federal capital, this time, the bodyguard of the Chief of Staff of the army fired on his boss and killed him. A former soldier present alongside the Chief of Staff of the army is also killed.

The two events are linked, according to the spokesman for the federal government, who said this Sunday morning at a press conference. They are linked to what she calls " a failed coup attempt at the Amhara regional government level ". In Addis Ababa, there is no mention of a coup attempt at the federal level or at the country level.

Several people are in police custody, but not the main suspect, who is none other than the head of security in the Amhara region, Asaminew Tsige, who is still on the run.

Quiet in Addis Ababa and " under control " situation in Bahir Dar

Saturday night, the situation was tense, after the announcement of these two attacks. There were police checkpoints in several places in Addis Ababa, searches and a lot of rumors on social networks. The US Embassy does not recommend travel.

This Sunday morning, the situation seems calm on Addis Ababa. The tension is still very present around the palace of the Prime Minister. For the press conference, journalists were searched like never before.

Moreover, the Internet was cut Saturday and since, no more access to the Internet, except for a few privileged who have a satellite link in Ethiopia.

At the level of Bahir Dar, the regional capital, " the situation is under control, " said the government spokesman this Sunday morning.

" Steps are being taken to bring peace and security, " she said.

Difficult to have more precise information. In the absence of the Internet, it makes things difficult, in any case to have more precise information on the situation in Bahir Dar.

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