GEDO (EthioMedia) – The Gedo farmers were advised by some EPRDF (the South Wing of TPLF) cadres that their land was invaded by the “the in-comers” (the Amharas, the Gurages, and others). So it was time to expel those groups of people from their land. Such advice prompted the farmers to rush to the cities where Amharas, Gurages and other ethnic groups live to execute what they were told.
When the city dwellers heard about the mob, they gathered to defend themselves. But the city police fired warning shots and told crowds to disperse because police said conditions were under their control. The city dwellers returned back to their homes, believing what was told by the police. But when the residents returned to their homes, the farmers started to attack. Many suspect the local police adviced the residents purposely to distract the resistance the farmers may face from the dwellers.
Within an hour Gedo was turned into a ghost city. Many houses were looted. One can see home goodies (flours, foams,…) scattered on the road.
The tragedy seems to have subsided when army arrived in the city. The army tried to control things even though it was too late to save those killed. A curfew was imposed. Now many are without homes and some say at least 12 city residents have been killed. Still the condition is tense. Now the dwellers are relying on the Army to save them from the same tragedy that may happen in the future.
Some suspect the mastermind behind the tragedy is EPRDF itslef. They argue that TPLF designed this plan to be seen as a life-saver for the residents, and earn political support in return. In addition observers say the mob attack was designed to punish the residents for voting for the opposition in the May 2005 elections.
Hunger strike in Wolkitte, ethnic cleansing in Gedo
WOLKITTE, Central Ethiopia – Fifty-one elected members of the opposition Kinijit in this town of Guraghe Zone have gone on a hunger strike to protest their detention without trial for several months. Activists say no charges have been made by the government which carried out nationwide arrests following the May 15, 2005 polls in which Kinijit and Hibret opposition parties scored significant successes over the incumbent party of Prime Minister Meles Zenawi.
Meanwhile, government-supported Gedo mobs have destroyed property and dislocated residents from Dilla, Bulle, Yirgachefe, and Fisehagenet
towns.
A source warns a government-backed Gedo uprising was targetting Amhara and Guraghe populations in the area. “Houses and business quarters are destroyed by Gedo mobs being supported by the ruling party of Prime Minister Meles Zenawi,” the source said.
“The unarmed and helpless Amhara and Gurage people are under death
warranty, without any means of protection. Bulle town, for instance, was a total destruction. We don’t know about how many deaths but people have fled their homes to save their lives,” the source reported. (Ethiomedia)
