Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn extended condolences over the death of people because of violence occurred at the thanksgiving festival of the Oromo people, Irreecha, today.
The Prime Minister expressed sadness over the loss of lives at the festival that promotes peace, stability and tolerance.
Hailemariam expressed sorrow over the death of 52 people at the festival, which was going smoothly until the violence started.
He said this shouldn’t happen at a festival that signifies tolerance and unity.
Noting that spectators were converging on Bishoftu since early in the morning to take part in the observance, Hailemariam said the festival was peaceful.
But, the peaceful celebration has turned into a violence that took the lives of many people, because of the violence instigated by anti-peace elements, he added.
Instigating violence on the day that the Oromo people thank their creator is an activity against the principle of the Oromo and an act that undermines identity of the people, he added.
Saying the government will bring the perpetrators of this act into justice, the Premier called on the Oromo people to stand with the government.
Noting that the government has exerted maximum effort to control the situation peacefully, he appreciated the police for the work they have done.
Source: MFA Ethiopia
