. Oromo Students' Riot in Oromia |
Last updated: 2002-05-08 |
Walaloo:
 Sagalee
Ekeraa Barattota Oromoo (Kumalaa Addunyaa irraa) Sagalee
Ekeraa Barattota Oromoo (kuta lammaffa) |
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Oromo
Students’ Demonstration in Kofale 1. Musa Ebbiso (10th grade) 2. Mohammed Hajo (9th grade) 3. Yasino Tino (9th grade) students were killed on the spot and five other Students were seriously wounded .... |
| TAKE
ACTION! SEND A MESSAGE Help Needed for Hundreds of School Students in Oromia A number of school students in Ethiopia have been shot dead and hundreds arrested since 25 March 2002, as police used live ammunition to disperse anti-government demonstrations in southern Ethiopia which are still continuing. Amnesty International is concerned that the arrested students, some of whom may be prisoners of conscience, may be ill-treated or tortured, and may be held for a long time without charge or trial. |
| Two
students killed, five injured in student
protests in western Oromia (AP, 29 March) - Security forces battled with student protesters, leaving two dead and five injured, in four cities in western Ethiopia, a regional official said Friday. Juneidi Sado, the president of the autonomous Oromiya region, said elementary and high school students "went on the rampage" in four cities this week, beginning in Ambo, 125 kilometers (80 miles) west of the capital. The protests spread to three other cities along the main highway through Oromiya, he said. "The students first tried to stage a demonstration in Ambo without the necessary permits and then stoned police and militia forces who had tried to stop the illegal demonstration," Juneidi said. "School and other buildings ad vehicles were damaged during the clash with the security forces." One student was injured in Ambo and five were arrested Monday, he added. Similar demonstrations were held in Nekemt and Ghimbi and about 100 students were arrested in Nekemt. The last protest was on Wednesday in Ghimbi. "Two students were killed and four others
were injured in Shambu when the students attempted to disarm a police
officer who had been hit by stones and was lying on the
ground," he said. |
| OLF
claims success in southeast (BBC Monitoring, 29 March) - Text of report by radio Voice of Oromo Liberation on 27 March Reports from Bale Zone [southeastern Ethiopia] say weyane [Ethiopian] government forces have stepped up repression of Oromo nationals in Bale. OLF [Oromo Liberation Front] forces responded with punitive military operations in southeast Ethiopia. Weyane is alleging that Oromo citizens in the region are supporting and feeding the OLF combatants. Many Oromos have been taken from various locations in the zone and are being held at several detention centres. Meanwhile, weyane soldiers have herded together Oromos in villages in different parts of the zone, in order to cut them off from the OLF fighters. OLF forces intervened in the situation by conducting five successful military operations in different areas of Bale Zone. During these operations, 25 weyane soldiers were killed and 47 others wounded. The OLF fighters also captured 13 AK-47 assault rifles, six (word indistinct) assault rifles and large quantities of ammunition. In a recent statement OLF said its fighters had intensified military activities in southeast and western Oromiya. |
| OLF
urges Ethiopian soldiers to defect (SBO, 27 March) - In a statement, the Oromo Liberation Front has said the Ethiopian government's violence against Oromo students will not stop the Oromo struggle for liberation, but rather it will strengthen the people's will to fight. The OLF condemned the barbaric action taken by the weyane government against Oromo students in Nekemte [western Ethiopia] and other places in Oromiya. The front said the Oromo people are waging a relentless struggle for self-determination. "The student resistance against the Ethiopian oppression clearly demonstrates the level the Oromo struggle has reached," the statement said. The OLF called on the students not to give in to intimidation, detention, and killings and to continue with their struggle. Considering that the students are fighting for Oromo rights, the OLF called on Oromos to assist the mothers and fathers of the students in any way they could. Oromos in the Diaspora were also urged to highlight the struggle of the students and to offer their active support. Finally, the front called on members of Oromo people serving the enemy, particularly those in the army and police, to refrain from harming their brethren who were fighting for the liberation of their nation, and instead turn their weapons on the weyane. They were also asked to join OLF combatants in the fight against the enemy. |
| ADDA
BILISUMMAA OROMOO OROMO LIBERATION FRONT Date: March 25, 2002 No. 002/stm/abo/2002 Harassing and Terrorising Oromo Students Won't Impede the Progress of Oromo People's Liberation Struggle All Ethiopian regimes instead of solving peacefully the chronic political problems of the country resorted to use of force to suppress people's demands and aspirations. The rulers of Ethiopia do not have the interest nor the courage to make fundamental changes to the political system of the country to bring lasting peace and stability. The policies they pursue and the programs they execute have made famine, war and instability the special identification of Ethiopia. This is the basic cause for the intensification of people's resistance and liberation struggle in the country. The ten years of TPLF's rule is full of people's resistance and uprisings. From the behaviours and policies the TPLF regime is pursuing people's resistance and armed struggle will not subside, rather it will escalate. The Oromo people is struggling to realise its rights to self-determination. Despite all attempts by Wayane to stamp out Oromo liberation struggle and frustrate Oromo people from taking part in this struggle, the struggle is daily gathering momentum and strength. Besides the armed resistance waged by the OLF, the movement of Oromo students that is yearly growing is a good example. The national consciousness of Oromo students has reached higher stage that their participation in the struggle is playing a significant role. Oromo students are openly opposing Wayane regime's atrocities committed on Oromo people. Two years ago, when Wayane purposefully burnt down the forest in Bale, it was Oromo students who made the first move and showed their protest. Oromo students in Finfinnee, Ambo, Dambi Dollo, Naqamte, Geedo, Gimbi and other places in Oromia made peaceful demonstration and demanded to be deployed to put out the forest fire. The Wayane regime however opened fire on these peacefully demonstrating students, killed and wounded several students and imprisoned thousands. The whole purpose was to frustrate and to demoralize Oromos from making any movement for their rights. All Wayane efforts will remain fruitless. Oromo student's movement for the rights and liberation of Oromo people is strengthening and spreading through out Oromia. The demands and resolutions passed by Oromo students in the various colleges of Jimma has gained wider support both from Oromo students and Oromo people. The Oromo students are demanding for the rights of Oromo people to self-determination to be recognized, the release of Oromo political prisoners and an end to economic exploitation of Oromia. The Oromo people is determined more than any other time to liberate Oromia and be free from bondage and servitude. We are sure the Wayane do understand this reality. Currently, the town of Naqamte is under siege and the residents are living life of fear and terror. The incident started when the Wayane local officials want to hold meeting for High School students to discuss on the farce renewal policy of the TPLF. The students refused to discuss on issues that are not relevant and instead suggested to discuss on the educational and agricultural policies, the disproportion between prices of agricultural produce and fertilizers, as well as the settlement policy of the regime. When understanding couldn't be reached the students walked out of the meeting. It was then that the Wayane security force opened fire on the students. Even though the casualty figures are not yet known many have been wounded, hundreds are arrested and immense property was destroyed. This action of the Wayane reveals its tyrannical nature and its intolerance to even students peaceful protests. We condemn this action taken by Wayane with strongest terms. This resistance against Wayane regime that Oromo students started will be intensified and involve students all over Oromia. It will spread to all corners of Oromia. It is through bitter struggle and dear sacrifices only that we achieve our liberation and freedom. This point is understood and internalized by all freedom loving Oromos. The Wayane regime thinks by terrorising, intimidating, harassing, imprisoning and frustrating the Oromo people it can stop the liberation struggle. To the contrary any move that the Wayane is making is hardening and strengthening the moral of our people. It is only self reliance and readiness to pay any sacrifices that can bring liberation and independence. This is the path that Oromo students are taking. Our people are behind their children in the confrontation with the TPLF tyrant regime. Therefore, we call upon the militant Oromo students across Oromia not to kneel down to the killings, harassment, imprisonment and intimidation of Wayane regime but rather to work in unison to intensify the popular resistance until the downfall of Wayane. Oromo students all over Oromia should continue the resistance co-ordinating your activities and step up your participation in the liberation struggle. We also call upon Oromo parents to support and uphold the just struggle that their children have started. In similar manner, we want to remind Oromos living outside Oromia to join the Oromo student's inside and bring their voices to the attention of the international public and make all necessary assistance. Finally, we call upon Oromos working for the TPLF regime, particularly to those in the armed and police forces stop being instrument for this oppressive regime and take any unnecessary measure against your brothers. The Oromo people expects from you to turn the barrel of your guns against the enemy by joining the liberation armed struggle led by the Oromo Liberation Front. Victory to the Oromo People!! Oromo Liberation Front |
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