Ethiopian state media confirm that the chief of staff of the country’s army, General Seare Mekonnen, has been shot dead in the capital, Addis Ababa.
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said on state TV that the General was shot trying to prevent a coup attempt against the administration in Ethiopia’s northern Amhara region.
In Amhara itself, the regional governor, Ambachew Mekonnen, was killed along with another official.
Ethnic violence has hit Amhara and other regions in recent years.
Since his election last year, Abiy has moved to end political repression by releasing political prisoners, removing bans on political parties and prosecuting officials accused of human rights abuses.
The US state department has warned its staff in Addis Ababa to stay inside, saying there were reports of gunfire in the city on Saturday.
