At least 16 peaceful student demonstrators were shot dead by the Agazi, Ethiopia’s riot police, between 28 April and 1 May. Protests against the planned extension of Addis Ababa city administration, which would evict thousands of farmers and split Oromia Region in two, were met with live ammunition and indiscriminate beating.
Several killings were in Ambo, where 27,000 reportedly took to the streets, but demonstrations were also met with violence in Guder, Adama, Dire Dawa, Robe, Jimma, Metu, Nekemt, Gimbi and Dembi Dollo – high schools and universities in central, east and west Oromia Region.
Sources claimed 25 – 50 were killed. At least seven were confirmed dead in Ambo alone. Many were badly injured and hundreds were taken from streets and university campuses to places of detention, where protestors and opposition party supporters are routinely tortured and raped.
Names of confirmed dead, injured or detained are given overleaf. Those killed include Endale Desalegn (Temesgen), and Tasfaye Gashe, both ninth grade students in Ambo.
Individuals in the UK are requested to write to their MPs, requesting them to ask the Minister for Africa, Mark Simmonds, and the Minister for International Development, Lynne Featherstone, what the British Government intends to do in response to this latest episode of killing and detaining peaceful demonstrators.
Killed:
Ababa Kumsa Wallega
Abdi Kamal Guder Junior Secondary School
Abdisa Nagasa Wallega
Endale Desalegn (or Temesgen) Ambo High School
Falmata Bayecha Jimma 5th yr Medicine
Galana Adaba Jimma 3rd yr Governance
Getachew Daraje Jimma 3rd yr Governence
Getahun Jirata Guder Junior Secondary School
Gexe Tafari Wallega
Gurmu Damxoo Guder Junior Secondary School
Hussen Umar Jimma
Israel Habtamu Jimma
Kumala Guddisa Guder Junior Secondary School
Tadesse Gashee Ambo Liban Macha Junior Secondary School
Tashome Dawit Wallega
Zabana Barasa Jimma 3rd yr Governance (or Oromo Folklore)
Injured:
Balay Kusa Mida Qanyi School W Showa
Bayisa Obsa Mida Qanyi School W Showa
Dararsa Ayana Mida Qanyi School W Showa
Adama University students detained and beaten:
Abrahm Makonin Ararso
Abenzari Hagaye Yohannis
Abdala Hussen Julio
Amnu’el Burka Danka
Andu’alam Telahun Alemayo
Ayantu Jalta Misha
Bilisuma Lamii Agaa
Bonsa Badhadha Bati
Bultu Wadaju Bultum
Chala Galan Dabiso
Datamo Fayera Shif
Dane Abo Bushira
Dani’el Admasu Tamsgen
Duni Hussen Walbu
Ebisa Malka Nuruu
Etihafa Tuffa Soraa
Fantale Faru Qarsuu
Fayisa Girma Biranu
Gada Dinqa Bayisa
Humin’esa Miliki Fanta
Ibraham Musa Awal
Ifabas Burisho Nuruu
Iliyas Ishetu Ibsa
Lami Marga Gabru
Lelisa Ayansa Marga
Marga Tuffa kiltu
Magris Banta Sodaa
Muktar Jeyilan Sa’ed
Musxafa Kadir Siraj
Nuho Gudata Irre
Odaa Damis Bonjaa
Shibiru Tariku Falke
Sidise Jara
Tashome Bakele Sabbatichal
Tadalu Mamo Bacha
Takalinyi Ketama Baharu
Tayee Tafara Agaa
Tullu Bonus Tura
Welbuma Ragasa Qalbesa
