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Ethiopian dam engineer Simegnew Bekele’s funeral draws thousands

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A number of people were reportedly injured in clashes

Ethiopian police have fired tear gas to keep back thousands of people who gathered to pay their final respects to the chief engineer of a controversial dam project.

Simegnew Bekele was found shot dead in the capital Addis Ababa on Thursday.

It is not clear if his death was connected to the $4bn (£3bn) Grand Renaissance Dam project.

Mr Simegnew’s death prompted an outpouring of grief. Hundreds packed a cathedral, with thousands more outside.

The police say they are still investigating the shooting.

Egyptian authorities have opposed the project over fears the supply of water from the River Nile will be affected.

Pallbearers carry a flag-draped casket of Simegnew Bekele Ethiopia's Grand Renaissance Dam Project Manager who was found dead in his vehicle on ThursdayImage copyrightREUTERS
Image captionSimegnew Bekele’s coffin was draped in the Ethiopian flag
A woman reacts during the funeral ceremony of Simegnew BekeleImage copyrightREUTERS
Image captionFor many the engineer had come to represent the country’s ambitions

As news of Mr Simegnew’s death spread on Thursday, there was a spontaneous demonstration outside the state broadcaster’s offices in Addis Ababa, with people calling for “justice for the engineer”.

Thousands then gathered on Sunday for his burial.

Videos shared on social media showed the crowd being dispersed with tear gas.

Other pictures show injured mourners being carried by Ethiopian security forces.

According to pro-opposition Ethiopia Live Updates, the crowd had been calling for the arrest of those who killed Mr Simegnew.

Chief Engineer Simegnew Bekele poses during a tour of the Grand Renaissance Dam under construction near the Sudanese-Ethiopian border.Image copyrightGETTY IMAGES
Image captionMr Simegnew, pictured in 2015, leaves behind a wife, daughter and two sons
Ethiopians attend the burial ceremony of Simegnew BekeleImage copyrightREUTERS
Image captionThe crowd were reportedly calling for those responsible for Mr Simegnew’s death to be arrested
federal policeman and a man carry a woman injured during a protest following the burial ceremony of Simegnew BekeleImage copyrightREUTERS
Image captionA number of people were reportedly injured in clashes

Matina Stevis-Gridneff, Africa correspondent for the Wall Street Journal, told the BBC Mr Simegnew had come to represent Ethiopia’s ambitions for the future.

He was also seen as the symbol of the dam, which has been called the most ambitious infrastructure project ever achieved on the continent.

According to the state-affiliated Fana Broadcasting Corporation, his funeral was attended by relatives and friends, as well as President Mulatu Teshome and Deputy Prime Minister Demeke Mekonnen.

BBC Nes

The post Ethiopian dam engineer Simegnew Bekele’s funeral draws thousands appeared first on Satenaw: Ethiopian News & Breaking News: Your right to know!.


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