Ethiopia: the hunger strike of opponents worries, a few months before the elections

Young Oromo protest in front of the home of activist Jawar Mohamed, October 24, 2019. REUTERS / Tiksa Negeri

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2 min

Beyond the devastating conflict that has continued in the province of Tigray since November, top political opponents are still in prison.

After eight months behind bars, they decided to go on a hunger strike which has now lasted three weeks.

Some had to be transferred to hospitals.

Their state of health is worrying because their situation could inflame their Oromo supporters, the main ethnic group in Ethiopia.

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With our correspondent in Addis Ababa,

Noé Hochet-Bodin

Could Oromia province catch fire again

like last July

 ?

At the time, the Oromo protests resulted in several hundred deaths, a month-long internet blackout and the arrest of key political leaders.

Among them, the charismatic

Jawar Mohamed

, a former ally of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, who later became his biggest critic.

Today, after a three-week hunger strike, his health is worrying.

As is that of Bekele Gerba, a veteran of Oromo nationalism who was briefly transferred yesterday, February 17, to a hospital.

He who wanted to go to a private clinic was forcibly taken to a military hospital, according to his lawyers.

His personal doctor was also arrested.

Further grounds for concern for Oromo supporters, who have already marched in a few towns last week.

If any misfortune should happen to one of the detainees, the situation would become critical in Oromia, thus jeopardizing the holding of elections in June.

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  • Ethiopia

  • Human rights

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