Arrests after a new wave of protest: Somali Region of Ogaden protests against regional leader

[Deeq A.]

By Ahmed Abdi

Dire Dawa — Security forces in the Somali Region of Ogaden arrested Wednesday a number of people in Afdem, about 10 kilometers North-East of Dire Dawa amid protests against the Somali Ogaden regional leader.

Dozens of men believed to be organizers of the protest have been arrested in Afdem by the Security Police, also known as Special (Liyuu) Police, according to witnesses and activists.

Muse Kamil, Mohamud Alu and Mohamed Aden and dozens of others were placed in custody after the protest erupted at Afdem in the  Sitti province, formerly known as Shinile.

Over the last two weeks, the population in the Shinile Zone has been protesting against the policy of the TPLF’s friend, Abdi Mohamoud Omar (Abdi Iley) which they say is based on policy brutality and corruption as well as negligence.

The protests took place in five towns namely Shinile Afdem, Erer, Bike and Hadhagala of the Sitti Province of occupied-Ogaden.

Abdi Iley accompanied Ethiopia PM Abiy Ahmed during his visit to Djibouti to ask Djiboutian President  Ismail Omar Guelleh put pressure the Issa uprising throughout the Sitti province.

Abdi Iley fired his Vice President Abdikarem Egal and replaced by Hamdi Adan Abdi as VP but Issa’s demand

Meanwhile, A mother in the Somali regional state delivered twins with scars after being beaten with strong sticks by the Somali militia at Dolo Addo. Referral to Addis Ababa hospitals was denied by the authority.

Head of the Police district Abdi Nasir was responsible for the beating; however, It’s not yet clear why was she beaten and whether her kids survived or not.

However, the Rights Groups such as Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International say Security Forces of Liyuu Police often commit human rights abuses against the 7-8 million population in the Eastern region.