Ethiopians to begin National mourning

Ethiopians are observing three days of national mourning after people died during a protest at a religious festival in the Oromia region on Sunday.  There is a dispute over what caused the deaths.  A statement on Ethiopia's state broadcaster said the mourning is to "commemorate innocent citizens who lost their lives because of the violence instigated by anti-peace forces".  Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn earlier blamed rioters for the "mayhem" which led to a stampede.   Opposition activists say the panic was caused when security forces fired teargas and bullets into the large crowd which had gathered for a thanksgiving ceremony.  They also say that the death toll is far higher than the official figure of 52.  There has been months of tension in Ethiopia's Oromia region after a series of protests in which Oromo people have been complaining of political and economic marginalisation.