(Reuters) – Unidentified gunmen killed Deep Kamra, the Ethiopia country manager of Nigeria’s Dangote Industries, on Wednesday after he was attacked in the restive Oromiya region while returning to the capital from Ethiopia’s largest cement factory, officials said.
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Oromiya, which surrounds the capital Addis Ababa, has been plagued by violence for more than two years, fueled by a sense of political and economic marginalization among its young population. Hundreds have died in unrest that was triggered in 2015 by demonstrations over land rights, broadened into rallies over freedoms and spread to other regions.
Dangote’s cement factory was inaugurated in 2015 and protesters have torched its vehicles at demonstrations. The company has been in negotiations with regional authorities over creating more jobs at the plant.
“The company’s director died following an attack by unknown gunmen that took place while he was returning to Addis Ababa from the factory alongside two company employees,” a government statement said.
“Security forces are currently pursuing the assailants,” it added. The statement called on residents in the area to help gather details.
Office of the Prime Minister stated on Thursday: “HE PM Abiy Ahmed and the entire government is shocked and saddened by the barbaric killing of Mr. Deep Kamara and his 2 Ethiopian colleagues. Our thoughts and prayers are with their families & everyone at Dangote. The government has started an investigation and will bring the perpetrators to justice.”
