Ethiopia: protesters start fires at Dangote plant

A Dangote cement plant in the Ada Berga, Oromia region, was set alight by angry protesters on Tuesday. The protesters were angered by the death of at least 55 people in a stampede triggered by clashes between police and demonstrators at a religious festival held by the Oromo people on Sunday.

Protesters claimed the stampede was a result of violence by the security forces, but the Prime Minister has denied that the security forces had opened fire. The government has declared three days of national mourning.

It was reported that during the attack on the plant, factory-owned trucks and machinery were burnt. Government-owned vehicles were also torched.