At least 5 dead as Ethiopian State of Emergency Forces fire in Oromo protesters

[Deeq A.]

By Ahmed Abdi

(Somalilandinformer) At least five Oromo protesters were killed Tuesday when State of Emergency Forces (SOEF) and Agazi police raided Nekemete city in Eastern Wallaga, about 242 kilometers (151 miles) west of the capital, Addis Ababa and fired protesters without warning, according to an eyewitness and protesters.

“Agazi forces, the loyal Tigrean Peoples Liberation Front (TPLF) forces mostly of Tigre origin, killed  Abebe Mekonnen and four other protesters and wounded dozens of people,” said one protester, who asked not to be identified.

The Ethiopian Emergency Council ordered the Agazi forces to “take all the necessary measures” to end anti-government protests in Oromia and the Amhara Regional States.

The Ruling minority ethnic Tigrayans, who are about 6 percent of the population have been struggling against protesters from Oromo and Amhara together make up more than 60% of Ethiopia.

The Defense Minister, Siraj Fergessa, said the martial law was decreed to stop the breakdown of law and order and a growing unrest that is endangering the constitution.

Jawar Mohammed, an Oromo activist and Director of Oromo Media Network TV reacted the government’s ordered to use violence against Oromo protesters and called on the members of the MPs from Oromo and Amhara not approve the so-called State of Emergency (SOE).

“With the ongoing killings in Western Oromia and today’s open order to the military to shoot and kill our people, the country is sliding into dangerous territory,” Mohammed said of the Orders in a statement to Somaliland Informer last night. “Qeerroo, an Organization of Oromo Youth, is preparing while waiting for the parliament to make a decision on either passing or rejecting the state of emergency.”

“We are hearing the regime is threatening MP’s to pass the SOE when it meets on Friday. If in fact, the parliament passes this unnecessary and unconstitutional decree, it will be met and reversed with fierce resistance. Therefore, we strongly advise all to postpone their travels to and within Ethiopia from Friday onward until things clear up,” the activist further said in the statement.