The famous Ethiopian singer, Hachalu Hundessa/photo credit, The New York Times
This week, the Ethiopians Federal government identified three individuals suspected of being involved in the killing of the slayed famous Oromo singer, Hachalu Hundessa. According to the Ethiopian federal Attorney General, the suspects have confessed to their crimes.
The suspects Tilahum Yami, Abdi Alemayo and Kebede are now in the custody.
The three are now in custody for further investigation. Mr. Tilahun Yami was identified as the gunman while Abdi Alemayehu is being accused of being an accomplice. The suspects held several meetings with their ‘instructors’ before they carried out the assassination, according to the attorney general.
According to Goa Ni Mal media outlet, the “assailants followed the singer and entered his car” where they shot him in Akaki Kality, a sub-city Wereda 4 near Galan Condominium site.
The attorney general who was in charge of the investigation added that “it was a well organized and sophisticated” plan.
Reported by the government-owned national TV, EBC (Ethiopia Broadcasting Corporation), the group was instructed and given the orders to kill the singer by a separate rebels’ force by the name Shane which broke away from the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) but currently registered as a political party. It is one of the known opposition party which opposed OLP’s agenda of a separate nation. It is based in the Oromia region.
More than 230 people died as the protesters demand justice for the death of the musician. The government also closed the internet since last week as the protest seem to spread. In response to the protest, the government arrested more than 3,500 people believed to instigate violent protests.
The funeral of Oromo protest singer Hachalu Hundessa has been held in his hometown of Ambo in the Oromia regional state, about 100km (62miles) west of the capital, Addis Ababa. Hachalu was buried last this week in his hometown, Ambo, 62 miles away from the nation’s capital Addis Ababa.
According to Goa Ni Mal, a Gambela based media outlet reported that “Jawar Mohammed was immediately arrested along with Bekele Gerba, a veteran opposition activist”
Meanwhile, his media outfit the Oromia Media Network, OMN, is reporting from an undisclosed location.