Somalia reacts to deadly coup attempt in Ethiopia

MOGADISHU, Somalia - The Federal Government of Somalia has strongly condemned the failed coup against Amhara regional government in Ethiopia that led to deaths of senior regional officials and army chief, Garowe Online reports.

The country’s Information Ministry said the attempt sought to stabilize the legitimate government of Amhara region and applauded the swift action taken by defense Ethiopian forces in quashing the coup.

“As a close ally and partner, the government and people of the Federal Republic of Somalia express condolence over the senior officials killed in the criminal coup attempt,” read the statement in part.

The president of Amhara state, Ambachew Mekonnen, and his advisor succumbed to their wounds after sustained critical injuries in an attack at the administrative headquarters in Bahir Dar city on Saturday.

The office of the Ethiopian PM blamed the region’s security head, General Asamnew Tsige for orchestrating of the attempted coup in the strategic region to take over the power at gunpoint.

In Addis Ababa, the Ethiopian army chief, Seare Mekonnen and a former general with him were was shot dead at his residence by his bodyguard, who was reported to have been detained by the security forces.

Chief of staff Seare Mekonnen had only served as head of the military for a year having been appointed by Abiy, who made sweeping changes in the security apparatus when he took office last April.

Ethiopian Government confirmed their deaths early on Sunday through a statement, adding that some of the coup plotters were arrested while the remaining at still at large.

The reformist Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed who came into the office early last year is facing growing pressure from regional strongmen, including in Amhara, a flashpoint in growing ethnic violence in Africa's second populous nation.

GAROWE ONLINE