Ethiopia's 'deeply worrying' violent clashes - EU expresses concern

The European Union (EU) has added its voice to calls for a peaceful resolution to the issues underlying protests in Ethiopia, describing recent reports of deadly security crackdown as ‘deeply worrying.’

The EU in a statement released by the European Extrenal Action Service (EEAS) said the violence in the Oromia and Amhara regions of the country were disturbing.

Whiles extending their condolences to affected persons, the EU further cautioned that the government and all parties involved should without delay, use all constitutional mechanisms to address the grievances behind the recent protest citing the use of constructive dialogue and engagement.

‘‘Everyone must refrain from the use of force as further violence can only be an obstacle to peaceful solutions,’‘ the statement read in part.

Dozens of people were killed in a new wave of anti-protests in Ethiopia over the last weekend, they were met with deadly force from security forces. Unofficial reports put the number of those killed close to 100.

On the recent violent clashes in #Ethiopia . https://t.co/G9F8beyTJp

— Maja Kocijančič (@MajaEUspox) August 10, 2016

Oromia has seen unrest for several months last year running into early this year. The protests are believed to have been sparked by plans to allocate farmland in the region, which surrounds the capital Addis Ababa, for development.

The EU is the first political bloc to wade in on the issue. Countries like France and the United States have asked the government to address the underlying issues and to avoid the brutal force with which the security forces seek to quell the protests.