The Ethiopian embassy in the United Kingdom will reinstate a bust of Emperor Haile Selassie in a London park. The sculpture of Haile Selassie was pounced on by irate Ethiopians on 2 July 2020. The city police confirmed the incident and said it was under investigation.
The statue of Haile Selassie
The toppled statue stood in the Cannizaro park area in London. Demonstrating youth were furious by the current events happening back in the country. This happens after the brutal murder of Oromo artist and activist Hachalu Hundessa was shot dead in the capital Addis Ababa.
Ababi Denisse, the deputy head of mission, visited the Park and later announced on twitter on 9th, Friday about its restoration. He said that the “Embassy will work with the Ethiopian community and local council to return back the statue to its position.”
Protest in Ethiopia following the death of Hundessa
Huge protests broke out in Addis Ababa and across the Oromia province after the murder of Hundessa as groups of gangs engaged each other and security forces. The investigation around his death is ongoing. So far, two people have been arrested while another is on the run.
Since the death of the musician, the country has witnessed a massive protest and several arrests of people. The police interaction with the protesters is the order of the day. And, as a result, leading to the death of 239 people in the process. However, among the things that angered the locals is the cut off internet morning at the time of the shooting and delayed filing of a report on the case.
Last words
The Oromo natives living abroad are actively following the murder case and seeking justice for Hundessa. The small group in the UK targeted the statue as a way of protest to send a message to the country that they want justice for the popular artist.
Haile Selassie, born Lij Tafari Makonnen; 23 July 1892 – 27 August 1975 was the Ethiopian Emperor from 1930 to 1974. He is reserved as the returned messiah of the bible, amongst the Jamaica native Rastafarian movement.
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