The suspected ringleader of Saturdays failed coup plot in Ethiopias Amhara region is on the run, a senior security official has told the BBC. Four top officials, including the army chief, were killed while thwarting the coup, officials said. Flags are flying at half-mast after the federal government declared a day of mourning to mark the deaths. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has urged Ethiopians to unite against evil forces set on dividing the country. A heavy contingent of pro-government forces have been deployed in Amharas capital, Bahir Dar, and the federal capital, Addis Ababa. The US state department has warned its staff in Addis Ababa to stay inside. Ethnic violence has hit Amhara and other parts of Ethiopia in recent years. Since his election last year, Mr Abiy has moved to end political repression by releasing political prisoners, removing bans on political parties and prosecuting officials accused of human rights abuses. Africas oldest independent country, Ethiopia is also the continents second most populous (after Nigeria), with 102.5 million inhabitants from more than 80 different ethnic groups. A transfer hub for long-haul air travel, it has one of the fastest-growing economies in the world, but a vast number of young Ethiopians are without work. Who is the alleged ringleader? Mr Abiys office has accused Amharas regional security chief, Brig-Gen Asaminew Tsige, of being behind the coup plot. His whereabouts are unknown, and he is on the run, Amhara regional deputy head of security Gedebe Hailu told the BBC. Brig-Gen Asaminew was among a group of high-ranking military officers released from prison early last year when the previous government moved to free political detainees in response to public pressure. The general had been in custody for nine years for allegedly plotting a coup. According to Reuters news agency, Amharas top officials had convened a meeting on Saturday to discuss attempts by the general to recruit ethnic militias. Brig-Gen Asaminew openly advised the Amhara people this month to arm themselves, in a video spread on Facebook and seen by a Reuters reporter. What do we know about the attacks? The chief of staff of the Ethiopian army, Gen Seare Mekonnen, was killed on Saturday evening by his bodyguard, who is now in police custody, the prime ministers press office said. He was at his residence along with another general, Gezai Abera, who was killed, it added. The government said it had reason to think the attack was linked to the assassination of the governor of Amhara, Ambachew Mekonnen, a few hours earlier in Bahir Dar. Mr Ambachew was killed at a meeting in his office along with his senior adviser, Ezez Wasie, while the regions attorney general was wounded. Lake Ayalew has now been appointed as the regions acting governor. Many of those involved in the coup attempt are under arrest and operations are in progress to detain others, the PMs press office said. The coup attempt in Amhara regional state is against the constitution and is intended to scupper the hard-won peace of the region, it added. This illegal attempt should be condemned by all Ethiopians and the federal government has full capacity to overpower this armed group.
