Ethiopian activist floats election challenge against Abiy

ADDIS ABABA,

A high-profile Ethiopian activist at the centre of violence that left 16 people dead this week has accused Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed of acting like a dictator and said he might challenge him in elections planned for next year.

In an interview Friday at his residence in Addis Ababa, the capital, Jawar Mohammed told AFP that Abiy -- named Nobel Peace Prize laureate two weeks ago -- seemed to be taking Ethiopia back to "the old ways" of authoritarian rule.

"He has resorted to the early signs of dictatorship, of trying to intimidate people, even his very close allies who helped him come to power who happen to disagree with some of the policies and positions and ideologies he's advocating," Jawar said.

"Intimidation is the start of authoritarian rule."

VIOLENCE

Violence erupted in Addis Ababa and in much of Ethiopia's Oromia region on Wednesday after Jawar accused security forces of trying to orchestrate an attack against him -- a claim police officials denied.

Amnesty International says 16 people are confirmed dead and that the actual toll is likely higher.

The defence ministry said Friday that it was deploying forces to seven hotspots to try and restore order, according to the state-affiliated Fana Broadcasting Corporate.

Jawar is credited with promotingprotests that swept Abiy to power last year, but he has recently become critical of some of Abiy's policies.

Both men are members of the Oromo ethnic group, Ethiopia's largest.

FEUD

Their feud highlights divisions within Abiy's Oromo support base that could complicate his bid to secure a five-year term when Ethiopia votes in elections currently planned for May 2020.

Jawar said Friday that running against Abiy was "one possibility," though he also said he could be convinced to back Abiy if he changes course.

"I want to have an active role in the coming election. In what capacity I'm not sure, but I want to make sure that the influence I have in the country has a positive contribution," he said.

After two days of violent protests, tensions had cooled Friday in Addis Ababa, though the damage inflicted by the unrest there and across Ethiopia's Oromia region was still being tallied.

"Up to now we have confirmed 16 people dead, but the number must be more than that because new reports are emerging which we have not confirmed," Amnesty researcher Fisseha Tekle told AFP.

He said the violence had included instances of security forces opening fire on protesters but was increasingly taking the form of ethnic and religious clashes.

"Some people have lost their lives with sticks, with machetes, some houses have been burned. People have been using even bullets and light arms to kill each other, to fight each other," he said.

CASUALTIES

At least six people were killed in the town of Ambo, west of Addis, after security forces opened fire on protesters, Fisseha said.

Ethnic and religious violence has been reported in the towns and cities of Dodola, Harar, Balerobe and Adama.

Ethiopian officials have provided scant information on casualties but did confirm two deaths in Adama earlier this week.

Property belonging to the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, which some associate with the Amhara ethnic group, has been targeted in multiple locations, Fisseha said.

Daniel Bekele, head of the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission, urged public figures to tamp down virulent rhetoric that could contribute to additional unrest.

"It is extremely depressing that public officials and community leaders don't appreciate the consequences of their actions and words leading to these senseless loss of lives, destruction of property and disruption of ordinary life," he said.

"As security forces are struggling to calm the crisis, everyone has a responsibility to do their share and cooperate."