By RFPosted on 30-10-2019Modified on 30-10-2019 at 17:56

In Ethiopia, authorities in the Oromia region announced the arrest of 350 people after the wave of ethno-religious violence that hit the area last week.

More than 350 people arrested and the figure could rise according to the authorities, as the investigation continues. On the ground, the federal army deployed and the violence calmed down.

" Almost all opposition leaders, elders, religious and I have called on people to stay calm, to go home, to raise dams and to be patient. The situation is back to normal, "said the famous activist Oromo Jawar Mohamed , whose message had initiated the unrest. On Wednesday, October 23, Jawar Mohamed sent a message explaining that the authorities were preparing to arrest him. Several days of unrest followed. The last official record is 67 dead.

However, he does not feel responsible. According to him, the violence was fomented by " outsiders coming to attack the protesters, and by thugs living in the cities ".

Abiy Ahmed: " a test for the Ethiopians "

The Ethiopian Prime Minister said he was very saddened, while saying that the country remained united. According to Abiy Ahmed, "This is a test showing that if the Ethiopians do not work together, the situation will become frightening ."

The Nobel laureate, praised worldwide after peace with Eritrea, is facing a surge of ethnic violence in Ethiopia. In this latest episode, the Ethiopian leader, himself an ethnic Oromo, faces a dilemma. " Either he attacks Jawar Mohamed and the Oromo region will ignite, or he is conciliatory and the other groups will denounce a double standard ," says researcher William Davison.

In any case, the situation is very worrying as we approach a crucial year 2020 with elections in May. " If the head of government does not control this violence, this election can not take place, " said Berhanu Nega, leader of the ECSJ party.

It is at the center of the demonstrations that killed at least 67 people during the week of October 23 in Ethiopia. #JawarMohammed, 33, an ethnic Ethiopian activist, could challenge the current prime minister in the 2020 elections. Who is this controversial Ethiopian leader? pic.twitter.com/S6NXDKiOnR

FRANCE 24 English (@ France24_en) October 30, 2019

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