2019 Amhara Region coup d'état attempt

attempted coup in an Ethiopian region

On 22 June 2019, factions of the security forces of Ethiopia's Amhara Region attempted a coup d'état against the regional government, during which the President of the Amhara Region, Ambachew Mekonnen, was assassinated.

2019 Amhara Region coup d'état attempt
2019 Amhara Region coup d'état attempt is located in Ethiopia
Bahir Dar
Bahir Dar
Addis Ababa
Addis Ababa
2019 Amhara Region coup d'état attempt (Ethiopia)
Date22 June 2019
Location
Result Coup attempt foiled, but regional president and chief of staff of the armed forces killed.
Belligerents

Factions of the Amhara Region's Peace and Security Bureau

Ethiopia Government of Ethiopia

Amhara Regional state government
Commanders and leaders
Brig. Gen. Asaminew Tsige 
(Director of the Peace and Security Bureau)

Abiy Ahmed
(Prime Minister of Ethiopia)
Lemma Megersa
(Minister of Defense)
Ambachew Mekonnen 
(President of the Amhara Region)
Gen. Se'are Mekonnen 
(Chief of Staff of the Ethiopian National Defense Force)

Maj. Gen. Gizae Aberra 
(Aide-de-camp to the Chief of Staff)
Casualties and losses
5 killed

A bodyguard siding with the nationalist factions assassinated General Se'are Mekonnen – the Chief of the General Staff of the Ethiopian National Defense Force – as well as his aide, Major General Gizae Aberra.

The Prime Minister's Office accused Brigadier General Asaminew Tsige, head of the Amhara region security forces, of leading the plot.[1]

Asaminew remained at large for 36 hours after the attempt. The state media confirmed that he was shot dead by police near Bahir Dar on 24 June,[2] while several of his alleged co-conspirators have been detained.

Following the coup attempt, internet access was shut down nationwide.[3]

References

change
  1. Menberework, Binyam (10 April 2018). "ANDM and OPDO turned against their master but both follow diverging paths". Addis Standard. Retrieved 23 June 2019.
  2. "Alleged Ethiopian coup mastermind shot dead after 36-hour manhunt". i24 News. Retrieved 24 June 2019.
  3. "Internet shutdown in Ethiopia amid reports of attempted coup". NetBlocks. 2019-06-22.