Ethiopia mourns top general killed 'in Amhara coup attempt
Written by Millennium on June 25, 2019
Ethiopia has held a memorial for the army chief of staff, Gen Seare Mekonnen, who was shot dead in an alleged coup attempt on Saturday.
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed joined soldiers at a ceremony in Addis Ababa to honour the general, a key ally.
The assassination was reportedly part of a coup attempt in the Amhara region.
Officials say the alleged attacker, the general’s bodyguard, is being treated for his injuries – contradicting an earlier claim that he was dead.
The alleged ringleader behind the attempted coup, Brig Gen Asaminew Tsige, was shot dead on Monday, police said.
He was reportedly killed as he tried to escape from his hideout in the Asmara region’s capital, Bahir Dar.
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Tuesday’s memorial service took place at a large venue in the Ethiopian capital, amid tight security.
Mourners paid their respects before flag-draped coffins bearing the bodies of Gen Seare and Gen Gezai Abera, a colleague who was assassinated with him.
