Several killed in explosion at Ethiopia PM rally

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Several were killed, many others injured in an explosion at a large rally by supporters of Ethiopia’s new Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed in the capital Addis Ababa on Saturday, Abiy said in a televised address afterwards.

The explosion occurred shortly after Abiy finished speaking and was waving to the crowd at Meskel Square. He was taken to safety by security personnel immediately.

According to witnesses, the explosion came from a grenade and was aimed the stage, which is where the prime minster was giving his speech.

Abiy described the incident as "an unsuccessful attempt by forces who do not want to see Ethiopia united."

Abiye Ahmed takes the oath of office during a ceremony at the House of Peoples' Representatives in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on April 2, 2018. /VCG Photo

The 41-year-old ex-soldier took office in April, and has made major changes in Ethiopia since then, including releasing jailed dissidents and moving to liberalize the economy.

He succeeded Hailemariam Desalegn, who resigned in February amid a wave of anti-government protests led by the country's two largest ethnicities, that started in late 2015 and left hundreds of people dead.

(Top image: file photo of Ethiopia’s new Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed)

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