Artist Mahder Assefa lost $1 million
Artist Mahder Assefa lost $1 million.
OLA [Shene] killed more than 50 IDPs in East Welega Zone and burned their bodies.
When it was said that the safety of the citizens in the Oromia region had reached the worst level, it was heard that the NGO Shene had killed more than 50 IDPs and burned their bodies in the eastern Welega zone.
The Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (ESMECO) has announced the brutal killing of displaced persons living in Ano town, Gobu Sayo district, East Welega zone, Oromia region. The commission said that it confirmed through my investigation that there was damage to human life, body and property in an attack that targeted IDPs on January 25, 2015.
On the said day, starting at 12:00 o’clock in the morning, a large number of armed men dressed in military uniforms, identified by the residents as the Oromo Liberation Army (OGL Shene), entered the city of Ano from three directions and killed and injured civilians, looted and destroyed property, according to the commission.
Isemeko stated that the investigation confirmed that the main targets of the attack were internally displaced persons who had been displaced from Gobu Sayo district and had taken shelter in different areas of the city. In the city since 2014. The commission also announced that there are more than 10 thousand 800 displaced people who have been displaced from 13 kebeles and are living in shelters in Ano city as well as outside the shelters with the host community.
It is said that at least 50 people, including the driver, city police and members of the Kebele militia, were killed in the attack by the militants in this city. Among the dead, 42 victims were among the displaced people who lived in the shelter of the displaced people and mixed with the host community, as well as residents who were said to support the government.
Ismeko stated in the report that the gunmen went from house to house in the area known as ‘Monday Market’ and killed the displaced people, especially the Amhara people.
In addition, the militants attacked a compound that was used as a shelter for the elderly, women and children. It is stated that they killed the male evacuees who were unable to escape and set them on fire.
The limited government security forces in the city were trying to stop the attack, but the militants were outnumbered by the government security forces and the attack was planned and prepared. Isemeko said in his statement.
On the other hand, after the Defense Forces recaptured the city, eight youths were arrested and killed by the security forces on suspicion of “collaborating with Shenegar”.
ISMECO Chief Commissioner Dr. Daniel Bekele said, “The findings of the commission’s long-term monitoring and investigation into the conflict show that the main victims of the ongoing conflict in the Oromia region are civilians who are vulnerable in various ways.”
The commissioner also pointed out that the investigations conducted by the commission at different times indicated that the safety of citizens in the Oromia region is reaching a worse level.
The commission called on all parties to refrain from targeting civilians and civilian property, and for the government to conduct a criminal investigation to ensure accountability for the attacks.
