Five killed, 31 injured in hand grenade attacks in eastern Ethiopia

ADDIS ABABA, July 25 (AFP) — At least five people have been killed and 31 injured in a series of hand grenade attacks in eastern Ethiopia that may have been politically motivated, police and diplomats said Monday.

The attacks took place late Sunday at several bars and a private home in the town of Jijiga, about 720 kilometers (450 miles) east of Addis Ababa in Somali state where parliamentary elections are to be held next month, they said.

“Five were killed and 31 injured when hand grenades were thrown at three bars and in one residence by unknown people at 8:30 pm local time (1730 GMT) on Sunday evening,” Somali state Police Commissioner Ahmed Ali told AFP by phone.

The five died on the way to the Karamara Hospital in Jijiga, the state capital, where the 31 wounded are being treated for injuries ranging from serious to minor, he said.

Authorities in Somali state have launched an investigation into the attacks for which no one has claimed responsibility, Ali said, adding that authorities had yet to determine a motive.

However, diplomats in the capital suggested that the attacks may have been politically motivated as they occurred as voter registration for the upcoming elections was set to begin in Somali state.

“As the attacks took place on the eve of the start of voter registration (…) they could be politically motivated,” one western diplomat told AFP on condition of anonymity.

Parliamentary polls were held in most of Ethiopia on May 15, but for logistical reasons are not due to be held in Somali state until August 15.

Preliminary results from the 523 constituencies contested in May, which showed a victory to the ruling Ethiopian People Revolutionary Democratic Front party (EPRDF), sparked protests that led to deadly clashes last month in the capital.