Egyptian Consul General to Sudan Ahmed Adly has said Egypt has nothing to do with the current political tensions within Ethiopia, calling on Addis Ababa to shoulder responsibilities for its internal issues.

 

"Ethiopia should not blame its problems on external factors," the Egyptian diplomat told a Sudanese newspaper on Sunday.

 

Addis Ababa has witnessed large demonstrations over the past few days following the murder of popular singer Hachalu Hundessa, who was shot dead by unknown attackers in the country's capital on Monday night. The unrest has left dozens dead and injured, and many people have been arrested, according to the AP.

 

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has said that the killing of the singer, and the subsequent violence, represented "coordinated attempts" to destabilise the country, AFP reported on Friday.

 

Abiy did not identify who he blamed for the unrest, though he vowed to hold to account those directly involved as well as "those that are pulling the strings," according to a summary of his comments distributed by his office.

 

Speaking about the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, the Egyptian diplomat said that Cairo seconds Addis Ababa's right in development and, at the same time, defends its own right to life.

 

He underscored the importance of reaching consensus and legal obligations that ensure the interests of the three countries involved in the dam's dispute: Egypt, Sudan, and Ethiopia.

 

The three countries have resumed talks under the aegis of the African Union, in an attempt to solve the outstanding points on filling and operating the controversial mega-dam.

 

Adly also rejected claims Egypt wants to establish a military base in South Sudan.