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ChelenqoChelenqo is a town in eastern Ethiopia located in the Oromia region a few km west of Harar.[1][2] History The town is linked to the Middle Ages during the reign of the Makhzumi dynasty as engravings in the area date back to the 13th century.[3] Chelenqo is also part of an ancient bartering route in the region which consists of livestock vendors.[4] In 1887 the Battle of Chelenqo took place between the Emirate of Harar and the Abyssinian state of Shewa following the latter's invasion.[5] Skeletal remains belonging to the fallen soldiers of Harar Amir Abdullahi II were visible in Chelenqo until recently.[6] In the neighboring Harari Regional State "the Chelenqo Martyrs" day is observed based on this conflict.[7] French writer Hugues Le Roux upon visiting Chelenqo in the early 1900s, described it as possessing spectacular cornfields encircled by mountains.[8] In 2018, sixteen peaceful Oromo protestors were gunned down by Ethiopian National Defense Force in Chelenqo which forced the Oromia president Lemma Megersa to criticize the federal governments actions.[9] References
9°23′53″N 41°33′39″E / 9.39806°N 41.56083°E
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