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ETHIOPIA-UNREST
Twelve killed in latest attack in western Ethiopia
ADDIS ABABA, Oct 13, 2020 (BSS/AFP) – Twelve people were killed this
week
in Ethiopia’s western Benishangul-Gumuz region, a security official said, the
latest in a series of clashes there that opposition politicians describe as
ethnically motivated.
The killings in the region’s Metekel zone began early Monday and were
sparked by a “personal dispute” over a stolen firearm, Gashu Dugaz, head of
the
region’s security bureau, told the state-affiliated Fana Broadcasting
Corporate.
But Dessalegn Chanie, an opposition politician in the neighbouring Amhara
region, said the incident was a “gruesome” attack on members of the Amhara
ethnic group, the country’s second-largest.
Dessalegn, a senior member of the National Movement of Amhara political
party, told AFP Tuesday that up to 40 people could have died, a figure that
could not be independently verified.
Dessalegn and other Amhara politicians and activists have for weeks been
sounding the alarm about what they say is a targeted campaign by ethnic
Gumuz
militias against ethnic Amhara and Agew living in Metekel zone.
The government of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has provided scant details
about the violence.
Abiy’s press secretary Billene Seyoum said at a press conference in late
September that the government “condemns all violent acts that are causing
civilian casualties harm and destruction” and said some 300 people “including
leadership in the area” had been “apprehended for their involvement”.
When asked what was driving the violence, Billene said investigations were
ongoing.
“There is some information to indicate that bandits are operating in the
area as well,” she added, without providing details.
Ethnic violence has been a persistent problem in Ethiopia under Abiy,
winner of last year’s Nobel Peace Prize.
The independent Ethiopian Human Rights Commission reported that 15
civilians were killed in Metekel zone on September 25 and said the violence
was
an example of “targeted killings”.
“Civilians are being subjected to repeated attacks with unmitigated cruelty
in Benishangul-Gumuz,” Daniel Bekele, the body’s chief commissioner, said at
the time.
“Federal and regional authorities should take the required steps to enforce
the rule of law and bring perpetrators to account,” he said.
Ethiopia’s military is reinforcing police and other security forces as they
try to stabilise the area, Fana reported this week.
BSS/AFP/FI/ 1855 hrs