This archive report was first published on 2 August 2019.
On August 1, 2019, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed revealed that attackers in a failed regional coup in June had been trained by individuals from foreign countries.
Abiy made the statement during a news conference, where he also mentioned that there was a plan to murder other officials and generals.
The failed coup occurred on June 22 in the northern Amhara region, with authorities blaming Asamnew Tsige, who was killed in fighting on the outskirts of the regional capital Bahir Dar.
Additionally, the army chief of staff was killed in the capital Addis Ababa simultaneously with the failed Bahir Dar assault, an attack also blamed on Asamnew’s rogue militia.
Abiy stated, 'We have evidence that the suspected people were trained by people who came from abroad... There was a plan to murder other officials and generals.'
He also expressed his government's willingness to open up the political space to ensure any transfer of power is done in a constructive manner rather than through terrorist acts.
Abiy emphasized that those trying to seize power illegally would be held accountable, adding that a total of 350 people, including soldiers and civil servants, had been arrested in connection with the attacks.
Out of those, 120 were later released, Abiy noted.
