US sends FBI experts to investigate deadly Ethiopia blast
ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia – The United States has sent FBI investigators to look into Saturday’s deadly attack on a huge rally for the new prime minister, state media reported Monday.
State broadcaster EBC said the experts were already on the ground helping with the investigation.
Witnesses said a man in police uniform tried to hurl a grenade at the stage after Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed addressed a crowd of tens of thousands cheering a wave of reforms in Africa’s second most populous country. It was the largest political gathering Ethiopian had seen in years.
Two people later died of their injuries; more than 150 were hurt. Over 30 people have been arrested, state media have reported.
The ruling party, just weeks ago the target of widespread anti-government protests, blamed “desperate anti-peace elements” and vowed to continue with reforms.
Since he took office in April, the 42-year-old Abiy has ended the East African country’s state of emergency, announced the opening up of state-run companies to foreign investment, embraced a peace deal with longtime rival Eritrea and freed opposition figures from prison.
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