(BBC) Funerals are taking place after a weekend of violent protests in Ethiopia's north-western city of Bahir Dar.

From: Biniam Tekle <biniamt_at_dehai.org_at_dehai.org>
Date: Mon, 8 Aug 2016 11:49:02 -0400

http://www.bbc.com/news/live/world-africa-36881410

August 8, 2016

Live reporting

By Dickens Olewe and Farouk Chothia


09:02
BBC

Funerals are taking place after a weekend of violent protests in
Ethiopia's north-western city of Bahir Dar.

The authorities there told the BBC's Emmanuel Igunza that at least
seven people were killed and dozens arrested during anti-government
demonstrations.

On Sunday, police used tear gas and fired in the air to disperse
thousands of people who had barricaded roads.

Activists say the number of those killed is much higher.

The BBC has learnt that two young men are being buried today. It is
believed that they were both killed by security forces.

There have also been protests in Ethiopia's Oromia region with local
media reporting that dozens of people were shot dead in towns across
the region, though the exact number is yet to be confirmed.

Hundreds of protesters in various towns and cities - including the
capital, Addis Ababa - have been arrested for taking part in the
demonstrations that have been banned by the government.

12:37
AFP

Internet and telephone services have been restored in Ethiopia, two
days after they were reportedly disrupted by the authorities following
the eruption of anti-government protests in the north-western and
southern regions.

Media reports indicate that internet and phone services were
interrupted in reaction to the protests in Amhara in the north-west)
and Oromiya in the south.

BBC Monitoring observed that nearly all Ethiopian media sources -
state and private - based inside the country did not update their
websites on 6 and 7 August. Some of the websites have started updating
today.

There has been no official comment by the government on the alleged
shutdown, but international and opposition media outlets operating
inside Ethiopia reported problems accessing the internet.

Opposition media accused the authorities of disrupting the telecom
systems as part of efforts to crackdown on the protests.

The website of the exiled opposition Ethiopian Satellite Television
(ESAT) said on 7 August that the services "were cut off by the regime
in Bahir Dar and Gonder."
Received on Mon Aug 08 2016 - 10:53:48 EDT

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