Influential Ethiopian activist 'arrested'

Jawar Mohammed, an influential and popular Ethiopian political activist, has been arrested amid protests that have gripped the Horn of Africa nation, Reuters news agency reports.

It says he was arrested after his bodyguards refused to disarm.

Mr Mohammed is a former ally of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed but is now an ardent critic.

He rums the Oromia Media Network which was key in covering protests that forced Mr Abiy's predecessor to leave office in 2018 to allow for reforms.

Last year protests broke in the Oromia region after Mr Jawar said that the government had withdrawn security from his house.

The government denied the allegation but that didn't stop his supporters from denouncing he prime minister and burning his then newly published book.

Tuesday's arrest comes amid protests following the killing of Hachalu Hundessa, an Oromia singer well known for his political songs.

At least seven people have died.