16 Facts About Hachalu Hundessa

Hachalu Hundessa was an Ethiopian singer, songwriter, and civil rights activist.

Hachalu Hundessa was born in Ambo in Oromia Region, Ethiopia, to Gudatu Hora and Hundessa Bonsa in 1986.

The son of Oromo parents, Hachalu Hundessa grew up singing in school clubs and tending cattle.

Hachalu Hundessa was imprisoned at Karchale Ambo for five years and later released in 2008.

Hachalu Hundessa was married to Fantanesh Demisse, with whom he had two daughters.

Hachalu Hundessa was a lifelong member of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church.

Hachalu Hundessa composed and wrote most of the lyrics of his first album while he was in prison.

In December 2017, Hachalu Hundessa sang at a concert in Addis Ababa that raised funds for 700,000 Oromo who were displaced by ethnic violence in Somali region.

Hachalu Hundessa was shot on the evening of 29 June 2020 at the Gelan Condominiums in Galan town, on the outskirts of Addis Ababa.

Hachalu Hundessa was taken to Tirunesh Beijing General Hospital, where he died.

Hachalu Hundessa's casket was driven into the stadium in Ambo in a black car, accompanied by a brass band and men on horseback.

Hachalu Hundessa was later buried at an Ethiopian Orthodox church in the town, in accordance with his family's wishes.

Hachalu Hundessa had reported receiving death threats, including in the week prior to his death, when he gave an interview to the Oromia Media Network.

Hachalu Hundessa's death sparked protests throughout the Oromia Region, leading to the deaths of approximately 160 people.

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed expressed his condolences to Hachalu Hundessa's family, urging calm amid growing unrest.

Hachalu Hundessa previously supported reformist Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, himself an Oromo, but has since become an ardent critic.