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June 24, 2019

Ethiopian Army Chief and Local Gov. Killed in Attempted Coup
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In Ethiopia, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said the army chief of staff and
another top military official were killed Saturday by the chief's
bodyguard, in connection with a failed coup attempt against the northern
regional government of Amhara. The governor of Amhara was also killed
earlier on Saturday. Internet access was cut off following the news, and
checkpoints were set up around the capital Addis Ababa.
Prime Minister Ahmed says the attacks were not motivated by ethnic
tensions, although few details are known about the perpetrators. Ahmed
came to power last year and made history by signing a peace agreement
with neighboring Eritrea. Ethnic conflict, however, continues to plague
the country, causing massive displacement. Ahmed survived a grenade
attack at a rally a year ago.