Following the 2005 election the government gunned down at least three hundred demonstrators after the prime minister at the time, the late Meles Zenawi, declared a state of emergency when supporters of the opposition contested the results of the election. 
Kufuatia uchaguzi wa mwaka 2005 serikali iliwapiga risasi waandamanaji wapatao mia tatu baada ya Waziri Mkuu wa kipindi hicho, Meles Zenawi, kutangaza hali ya hatari wakati watu waliokuwa wanawaunga mkono wapinzani kuamua kuingia mtaani kupinga matokeo ya uchaguzi huo.