Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed announces a failed coup as he addresses the public on television, Sunday, June 23, 2019. (ETV via AP)Former Nigeria’s President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan has said that his heart bled when he learnt that the Egyptian Chief of Army Staff was killed in a failed military coup today, June 23, against the government of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.
In a series of tweets today, reacting to the attempted coup, ex Nigerian leader said: “it bleeds my heart when there is unnecessary and avoidable bloodshed, as has just happened in Ethiopia.”
Jonathan, who appealed to the world leaders to join him in condemning the attempted coup plot, insisted: “nobody’s Political Ambition Is Worth The Blood of Citizens in Ethiopia or Any Other Nation.
“I have long said, believed and practised the principle that nobody’s political ambition is worth the blood of any citizen.
“As such, it bleeds my heart when there is unnecessary and avoidable bloodshed, as has just happened in Ethiopia. I condemn the attempted coup against the democratically elected government of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.
“I go further to call on men and women of goodwill around the world to also condemn such anti-democratic actions and show solidarity to the democratically elected constitutional order in Ethiopia.
“Democracy has come to rest in Africa. Constitutionality and the rule of law are what we in Africa need, especially in the cradle of civilisation and the melting pot of the African Union.
“Africa hopes for a speedy return to normalcy and I stand ready to lend my voice and actions to make that possible. May God bless Africa and may He be with the government and people of Ethiopia at such a trying time.”
Earlier today, the Chief of staff of the Ethiopian Army, General Seare Mekonnen was shot dead in an attempted coup. He was killed by his own bodyguard in Addis Ababa, the capital of the East African nation.
The Ethiopian Prime Minister, Abiy Ahmed, while confirming the death, said: “Mekonnen and another officer died trying to prevent a coup attempt in Amhara region.
“The regional governor of Amhara, Ambachew Mekonnen, and an adviser, was also killed in a separate attack.”
