Entire Oromo region flares up in violent protest following the Ireecha massacre

ESAT News (October 3, 2016)

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ESAT breaking news October 03,2016

From Borena in the south to Sendafa, and Aweday in the east to Wolega, the entire Oromo region of Ethiopia erupted in protest on Monday with people venting their anger in burning government plated vehicles and offices. People in all major towns in the region took to the streets on Monday in protest for the killing of hundreds of festival goers in Bishoftu, who were celebrating the annual Ireecha, a religious festival to welcome spring. 

Sunday saw the deadliest since the anti-government protest began in November 2015 in the Oromo region as hundreds, up to 500 people according to estimates by Oromo activists, were killed in one day as a stampede ensued when soldiers opened fire and used tear gas at festival goers, who used the occasion to express grievances against the minority regime, whom they believe has marginalized the majority Oromos. Oromo activists and media outlets say security forces also shot live bullets killing several festival goers.

There is still no exact figure as to the number of dead. Twenty-three bodies were found on Monday in ravines near the site of the celebrations. 

Funeral processions were turned protest rallies in the region on Monday. Borena, east and west Shewa, Shashemene, Arsi, Dodola, east and west Hararge and Guder were few of the places that saw protests on Monday.

A father of nine, who lost his wife and one of his daughters, called on the international community to act to stop what he called “madness in Ethiopia.” Speaking to ESAT on the phone from Sendafa, Dereje Urgie said he lost his wife of 35 years and 19 years old daughter, whom he said were the world to him. “All we had was love and respect one another in our 35 years marriage,” Dereje said and added, “we never had a single fight in all these years and we were raising our children as any good parents would.”

He said family members found the bodies of their loved ones in a tent and there was nobody responsible to tell them what had happened to them. He also said family members have examined the bodies and found evidence of smoke inhalation in their nostrils. He believes his loved ones were poisoned by the excessive teargas used by regime forces in dispersing the crowds.

In Bule Hora, Southern Ethiopia, protesters freed political prisoners and set two prisons on fire. They have also set ablaze the regional court and the regional office of the ruling party, EPRDF. A resident of Bule Hora told ESAT on the phone that security forces shot and killed two people on Monday. The source said the people have overwhelmed the anti-riot police and seized their gears. Protesters also set several government offices on fire in Bule Hora.

Gunfire was heard all day in Ambo, west of the capital Addis Ababa where protesters burnt government vehicles and offices.

Transportation was shut down on Monday in most places in the Oromo region.

Prime Minister Halemariam Desalegn blamed the killings on what he called few individuals from opposition elements bent on creating violence. To the indignation of many Ethiopians, he thanked regime’s forces “for keeping the peace.” Government media puts the death toll from Sunday’s carnage at 55, but Oromo activists and other sources believed the death toll could be way over 500.

Sunday’s mass killings perhaps mark the deadliest since the protests began in November 2015 against economic and political marginalization imposed by a minority government over majority Oromos.

Rights groups report that over one thousand protesters were killed and tens of thousands remain in detention.

Meanwhile, the Ethiopian Satellite Television and Radio (ESAT) announced a three day mourning, beginning Monday, in remembrance of those who lost their lives on Sunday. The management and staff of ESAT also expressed deep sorrow over the death of hundreds of compatriots due to the senseless act by the regime against peaceful citizens.