Ethiopia's army chief of staff has been shot, PM's aide says

It came hours after a failed coup attempt was reported in a federal state north of the capital

Ethiopia's Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed arrives at Khartoum international airport on June 7, 2019 on a mission to mediate between Sudan's ruling generals and civilian leaders. AFP

Ethiopia's army chief of staff has been shot, the prime minister's press secretary said on Sunday, hours after a failed coup attempt was reported in a federal state north of the capital.

It was unclear whether General Seare Mekonnen had been killed or wounded, the press aide, Billene Seyoum, told Reuters.

On Saturday, the government said there had been a failed coup attempt against the head of regional government in Amhara, one of Ethiopia's nine federal states.

The developments underscore the challenges facing Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, as he tries to spearhead political reforms amid widespread unrest in the Horn of Africa nation of 100 million people.

Appearing on state TV late on Saturday, Mr Abiy said some of officials of the Amhara government were in a meeting when a coup attempt occurred.

"There are a few people who were killed while others were injured," Mr Abiy said.

Early on Sunday, Brigadier General Tefera Mamo, the head of special forces in Amhara, told state television that "most of the people who attempted the coup have been arrested, although there are a few still at large."

Residents in Amhara's capital Bahir Dar said late on Saturday there was gunfire in some neighborhoods and some roads had been closed off.

Since coming to power in April last year, Mr Abiy has pushed to open up the once isolated, security-obsessed country. His government has released political prisoners, removed bans on political parties and prosecuted officials accused of gross human rights abuses.

However, ethnic violence – long held in check by the state's iron grip – has flared up in many areas, including Amhara, where the regional government was led by Ambachew Mekonnen.

Ethiopia is due to hold a national parliamentary election next year. Several opposition groups have called for the polls to be held on time despite the unrest and displacement.