Violence and looting on the outskirts of Addis Ababa

Violence and looting on the outskirts of Addis Ababa

A weekend of violence on the outskirts of Addis Ababa left unspecified numbers dead and hundreds displaced, police and witnesses said. A well-organised and ruthless gang prey on residents with knives, stones or iron bars in Ashewa Meda, Burayu, Anfo, Keta and Asko areas of Oromia region, according to multiple witnesses. The attacks were carried out on Friday and Saturday nights, and according to many accounts had an ethnic and criminal trend, Oromo youths targeting minority Dorze, Gamo, and Wolaita ethnic groups. “They entered to our house and they destroyed all of our property. They torched all the weaving tools with box of matches. Nothing is left. Luckily, some neighbours helped us to leave and I fled with my children at around three after midnight,” a distraught man from Dorze tribe in his fifty told the state broadcaster ETV.  Most of the Dorzes are engaged in weaving white robe.“We don’t know who they are. They entered into the house in groups and did a wholescale looting of property, and they attacked us,” another witness, a young woman in her twenties said.

Violence sparked by a killing of a six-year-old girl

Witnesses said  the violence started after the kiling of a six-year-old girl, leading to a skirmish between the Oromo and Dorze ethinc groups. Angry Oromo mob reacted in retaliation, attacking Dorze people and looting their houses and shops, according to the witnesses. Several people also described Oromia police’s inability to decisively deal with the criminal activities and certain community dwellers organizing themselves into vigilante groups to protect others from the menace.

Terrified residents, most of them from Dorze and Gamo tribe, fled the area following the attack on the following day and around five hundred people including children and women have been given shelter in churches and schools in Addis Ababa. Deputy Mayor of Addis Ababa, Takele Uma Banti who visited a temporary shelter at Kale school this morning tweeted that, “the spate of violence and counterattacks are unacceptable and run contrary to the spirit of medemer, unity, togetherness, and inclusion.” Local administrators have asked aid agencies operating in the area and residents to provide humanitarian assistance.

 

Residents flee after violence photo Kalkidan Yibelal

Seventy arrested

The Oromia region Police Commissioner Alemayehu Ejigu told ETV that 70 suspects have been arrested in connection with the violence. He said police is taking steps to restore peace and to return the displaced persons.

The assailants were not identified, but several people on social media and websites pointed fingers at the underground activist networks, known as Qeerroo. However, the Federal Police Commissioner, Zeynu Jemal hinted possible links with a deep state trying to dismantle the Abiy Administration, saying two different political groups organised themselves under one command have been responsible for instigating the violence. “They have worked deliberately to create tensions between the Oromos and the other communities living in the Oromia region,” he was quoted as saying. Mohammed Ademo, the founder and editor of OPride.com, also said that the organized mob and agent provocateurs represent no one. “They are hired (organized) to sow discord, division and mistrust. Let‘s not fall into their traps. Let’s stop pointing fingers at each other and blaming entire groups of people or communities,” he wrote on his Facebook page.

The incident further heightened security fears, after worsening violence across the country and casts shadow for the reformist leader Abiy Ahmed.  Abiy who is in Saudi Arabia denounced the killings.“Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed strongly condemns the killings and acts of violence against innocent citizens … These cowardly attacks represent a grave concern to the unity and solidarity of our people & will be met with appropriate response,” said Fitsum Arega, the prime minister’s chief of staff, in a tweet.

Update on 11:40 GMT, Sept 17: Reuters wrote today that at least 23 people were killed in the weekend of violence citing a police source.

Main image: People arriving in Addis Ababa fearing violence on the outskirts of the city. Photo Kalikidan Yibeltal.

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6 thoughts on “Violence and looting on the outskirts of Addis Ababa

  1. This is not acceptable from a civilized human being. What is wrong with you? when are we going to respect a human life? Shame on you. Shame on you people of Ethiopia who ever you are. I don’t want to point a finger. You have shown to the world the dark side of you. What is next, are you going to kill your father, mother and brother?

  2. We have given TPLF a chance for almost 27 years. We are giving hard time Abiy and Lemma only five months after they assumed power. What is this demonstrations about? Have we been expecting to do miracle?

  3. Ensuring stability and peace is the primary function of the government. It is hard to know who is in charge in Ethiopia and why the government is unable to do its chief work: security. Some forces, returned from abroad, are acting as governments and those networks like Quero, Zerma and Fano are turning into dark forces. Clear demarcation has to be done about their roles and responsibilities. Abiy Ahmed has failed to distinguish himself significantly from his predecessor. The public no longer trusts he is committed to deliver a brighter future.

  4. The biggest weakness of Abiy Ahmed is to think that he would be tranquil leaving the likes of Getachew Assefa at large. You should never underestimate Getachew. He is capable of doing anything.

  5. I think it is high time all finger pointing toward TPLF for all conflicts and mass killings to be stopped. Any problem that arises at the moment is the problem of the proponents of the reform. Because those who don’t believe in the change yet who are incorporated the system has to leave and replaced by newer ones. Unfortunately, there is an increasing concern and uncertainty about the true ideological balance in the government, the role and responsibilities of activists such Jawar Mohamed, and suspicion of the individual motives of its membership enveloped the Abiy administration.

  6. Oromia president Lemma Megersa has confirmed the information that a horrendous killing of a six-year-old girl has fuelled the clash. He condemned the mob attack on the strongest terms possible. I am glad he said that the region will take full responsibility to rehabilitate the victims. This is a commendable promise. I think he should make sure that justice will be done no matter who committed the crime and the government should show its seriousness on fighting violence. I hope Ethiopia will overcome this.

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