The Southwark Police issued a statement, saying "Officers are on scene in Camberwell Road, SE5 where there is a protest with approximately 50 people gathered outside a private venue. Additional officers are on their way to the location to assist with the demonstration." A dispersal order was put in place, per The Daily Mail.
Video footage from the scene show the clashes between the protesters and officers, with protesters attacking police with sticks.
Users on X discussed the conflict, saying that the protesters were kettled by officers and that the protest erupted over "the current situation in Eritrea," a nation that is in conflict with Ethiopia. Ethiopia recently invaded Eritrea again.
"People I’ve talked to say that the Eritrean embassy was holding a meeting and the protesters turned up and there was a confrontation between the two groups. Now they are kettling protesters while the Eritrean government staff are still inside the building I think," said writer and filmmaker John Lubbock.
Others reported that the situation with the war in Eritrea and Ethiopia was playing out in London streets.
Conflicts between Ethiopia and Eritrea have been on and off since at least 1998. Reports this fall have indicated that the two north African nations may be heading back to war.
