Referendum in Ethiopia: dozens of people killed in clashes in Sidama

At least 25 people have died in clashes between Ethiopian security forces and activists in southern Ethiopia, hospital officials said at the BBC.

Officials said the security forces shot at demonstrations in the Sidama area.

Activists of the Sidama ethnic group were to declare their own federal state on Thursday.

They accused the government of not organizing the promised referendum on the issue.

Sidama is the fifth largest ethnic group in Ethiopia. They make up 4% of the population and are mainly based in the Southern Regional State of Nations, Nationalities and Peoples (SNNP).

The four largest communities all have their own regions in the federal system based on Ethiopian ethnicity.

According to reports from activists and opposition groups, the death toll would be 60, but local security official Andinet Ashenafi warns against what he calls exaggerated figures, reports Kalkidan Yibeltal of the BBC, based in Addis Ababa.

Mr. Andinet confirmed to the BBC that four people were killed in Awbada and 26 were injured.

Members of other ethnic groups were also killed after being attacked by angry mobs.

Local media reported that protesters attacked a tourist pavilion, leading 12 tourists to be escorted by troops.

Internet is blocked in some parts of the south of the country since Thursday, especially in the main city of Awbada.

What triggered the protests?

Shortly after Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed came to power last year, promising radical democratic reforms, Sidama activists submitted their request for a referendum on the official recognition of their own region.

As part of the constitution, the Ethiopian government must hold a referendum in the year following the request of any ethnic group wishing to form a separate entity.

The deadline for the Sidama referendum was Thursday, July 18th. However, after a complex transition period following Mr. Abiy's first year of leadership, a wave of ethnic tensions and a so-called regional state coup, the government failed to organize the vote in time.

The Sidama announced that they would declare their own federal state before the referendum deadline: Thursday, July 18th.

Large-scale violence was avoided as Sidama opposition groups agreed with the government to delay the declaration and hold a referendum in five months.

But for some Sidama, this compromise was not enough, leading to demonstrations and violence.

Why does the Sidama ethnic group want its own region?

The fifth largest ethnic group in Ethiopia, Sidama want the same level of autonomy as the four largest communities.

Most Sidamas are farmers and coffee is a particularly important source of income.

If the Sidama had their own region, it would mean that the regional government could adopt policies that are tailored to their economic and cultural needs.