As Protests Turn Violent, Ethiopia Finds Itself On Brink Of Civil War

By Worldview
n this June 10, 2005 file photo, members of the Ethiopian army patrol the streets of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, after recent clashes with protesters. Violent weekend clashes between protesters and security forces have claimed the lives of more than a dozen people across Ethiopia. The government announced Sunday, Aug. 7, 2016 that seven protesters died in the northern Amhara region’s capital, Bahir Dar. Witnesses who spoke to The Associated Press anonymously for fear of reprisals said anti-riot police also used force Saturday to disperse hundreds of protesters in the capital, Addis Ababa.
Members of the Ethiopian army patrol the streets of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, after recent clashes with protesters. Violent weekend clashes between protesters and security forces have claimed the lives of more than a dozen people across Ethiopia. Karel Prinsloo
n this June 10, 2005 file photo, members of the Ethiopian army patrol the streets of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, after recent clashes with protesters. Violent weekend clashes between protesters and security forces have claimed the lives of more than a dozen people across Ethiopia. The government announced Sunday, Aug. 7, 2016 that seven protesters died in the northern Amhara region’s capital, Bahir Dar. Witnesses who spoke to The Associated Press anonymously for fear of reprisals said anti-riot police also used force Saturday to disperse hundreds of protesters in the capital, Addis Ababa.
Members of the Ethiopian army patrol the streets of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, after recent clashes with protesters. Violent weekend clashes between protesters and security forces have claimed the lives of more than a dozen people across Ethiopia. Karel Prinsloo

As Protests Turn Violent, Ethiopia Finds Itself On Brink Of Civil War

By Worldview
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Over the weekend, Ethiopian security forces shot and killed dozens of Oromo protesters. The Oromo people are Ethiopia’s largest ethnic group and have staged protests since 2014, claiming persecution and marginalization by the Ethiopian government. 

The country may be on the brink of civil war, according to government opposition leaders. 

We talk about the ongoing conflict with Getachew Begashaw, professor of economics at Harper College. He’s originally from Ethiopia. We’ll also hear from Seenaa Jimjimo, a Chicago-based writer and campaign director for the Oromo Advocacy Group.