At Least 52 Killed in Ethiopia Protests Over Singer’s Death

Ethiopian musician Haacaaluu Hundeessaa poses while dressed in a traditional costume in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on March 2, 2019. His costume celebrates the 123rd anniversary of the battle of Adwa, where Ethiopian forces defeated invading Italian forces. Tiksa Negeri/Reuters

ADDIS ABABA—At least 50 people were killed in Ethiopia’s Oromiya region in protests following the fatal shooting of a popular singer, a regional spokesman said on July 1, laying bare splits in the prime minister’s political heartland ahead of next year’s polls.

Musician Haacaaluu Hundeessaa was shot dead on Monday night in what police said was a targeted killing.