Ethiopia’s PM accuses dissidents of taking up arms in unrest

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia (AP) — Ethiopia’s prime minister on Friday said dissidents he recently extended an offer of peace have “taken up arms” in revolt against the government in a week of deadly unrest that followed the killing of a popular singer.

Those who participate “in the destruction of the nation cannot be considered guardians of the nation,” Abiy Ahmed said.

Police earlier this week told the state broadcaster more than 80 people were killed following the shooting death on Monday of Hachalu Hundessa, a prominent voice in anti-government protests that led to Abiy coming to power in 2018. The military has been deployed, and hundreds of cars this week were burned or damaged in the tense capital, Addis Ababa.