A National Farewell to a Celebrated Chief

Ethiopians are gripped with shock and in a state of disbelief following the tragic death of Semegnew Bekele, chief engineer of the GERD.

He was found dead in his car and shot near his right ear at Mesqel Square, the busiest traffic area in the capital.

Simegnew was born in the town of Maksegnit of Tseda Woreda, in North Gonder Zone, in 1966.

His assignment with the GERD was not his first in hydro dam construction. He worked at the Gilgel Gibe I and Gilgel Gibe II hydroelectric projects up until 2010.

Although the cause of death is due to a gunshot, it remains unclear whether it was a homicide or an act of suicide.

Thousands went out at the Square where he was found dead to pay their respect.

Semegnew was a celebrated public figure whose name has been synonymous with the 4.8 billion dollars dam he was overseeing.

The shock and the disbelief that gripped the nation do not seem to subside soon.

Investigators at the Federal Police are expected to announce their findings to the public in the days to come now that he’s been laid to rest.

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