Protesters attack Turkish cable company in Ethiopia

By Seleshi Tessema

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia

Anti-government protesters attacked, partially burned and vandalized a Turkish cable factory, BMET, in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa Tuesday night, according to a company representative.

Said Mehmet Kahveci, who was one of the 50 Turkish workers flown out of the country, said: “A large group of highly-agitated people stormed into our plant, and they set on fire some parts of the plant.

“It will take a long time to repair the plant.”

The company began operations in 2014 in Sebeta, a small Oromo town, 35 kilometers (21.7 miles) west of the Addis Ababa.

Dereje Desalegn, company administrator, said the protesters had ransacked everything they came across at the factory.

“Four heavy duty trucks loaded with imported factory materials as well as staff residences on the premises of the factory were set ablaze,” Desalegn said.

The fire also touched the main factory and damaged some machinery, he said. “All this happened before security forces arrived,” he added.

In an interview aired by government-affiliated Fana Radio on Tuesday, Ethiopian Police Commissioner Assefa Abiyu said attempts had been made to “spread violence” in some areas on the outskirts during the last two days.

According to an estimate, Turkish investment in Ethiopia currently amounts to $3 billion.