An explosion has disrupted a huge rally for Ethiopia’s new prime minister shortly after he spoke and was waving to the crowd.
The state broadcaster reported that a few people had been injured, and police said they were investigating.
Footage showed Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed being rushed from the scene by security guards.
#Ethiopians coming together to heal the wounds that divided us; coming together to rise to the challenges that undermine our nation; coming together TO SEIZE OUR FUTURE! ስንደመር እናምራለን ፤ ፍቅር ያሸንፋል !!! “God bless Ethiopia and God bless each and every Ethiopian. “ pic.twitter.com/btqf6PMQHz
— Fitsum Arega (@fitsumaregaa) June 23, 2018
In a cowboy hat and T-shirt, Mr Abiy had addressed the crowd in Addis Ababa’s Meskel Square as supporters wore clothes displaying his image and carried signs saying “One Love, One Ethiopia”.
Mr Abiy told the crowd of tens of thousands that change was coming and there was no turning back.
“For the past 100 years hate has done a great deal of damage to us,” he said, stressing the need for even more reforms.
The 42-year-old took office in April and quickly surprised Africa’s second most populous country by announcing the release of tens of thousands of prisoners, the opening of state-owned companies to private investment and the unconditional embrace of a peace deal with rival Eritrea.
“Have no doubt #Ethiopia will return to its former national glory. Our quest requires all of us to be active participants & not passive bystanders. Regardless our roles, we all need to engage”whether it is in the government, in politics, in business, in sciences or arts.” PM Abiy pic.twitter.com/HlQBOY1bgH
— Fitsum Arega (@fitsumaregaa) June 23, 2018
The United States is among those expressing support for the changes in a key security ally.
“I’ve never thought this day will come in Ethiopia. I’m very emotional right now,” said Mulugeta Sema, a supporter of Mr Abiy who wore a T-shirt with the new leader’s image.
“We should never get back to dictatorship. This is time for change.”
Not everyone has cheered the reforms. Some Ethiopians near the border with Eritrea have protested over the embrace of the peace deal.
And the Tigrayan People’s Liberation Front, a party in Ethiopia’s ruling coalition that has been the dominant force in government for most of the past 27 years, said the announcement on the peace deal had been made before the ruling coalition’s congress met to discuss it.
