As Muslims marked the Eid-el-Fitr yesterday all over the world, news reaching the desk of CEOAFRICA.com from Addis Ababa, the capital city of Ethiopia disclosed that Muslims in Ethiopia protested after the Eid prayer against what they described as government interference in their religious affairs.
 It was gathered that demonstrators chanted “Allahu Akbar” and hoisted banners that read "respect the constitution," which refer to allegations that the Ethiopian government is trying to influence Ethiopia Islamic Affairs Supreme Council.
 
Government spokesperson Shimeles Kemal described the protest as unfortunate.
 
"These were Salafist elements who tried to create disturbances as the crowd went back to their homes," he said by referring to a brand of Islam followed by al Qaeda.
 
"They have no following among the population but still tried to make it look like a protest. A few have been arrested."
 Furthermore, Shimeles explained that the protesters aimed to set up an Islamic state in the country and were bankrolled and guided by "extremists" overseas.
 
Sources disclosed that Thursday's incidents followed clashes in Kofele in Ethiopia's Oromiya region, where government officials said Muslims wielding machetes and arms clashed with police, killing police officers and civilians. The protesters blamed the authorities for the incident.
  
Amnesty International urged Ethiopia on Thursday to end "its use of repressive tactics" against the demonstration.