2014–2016 Oromo protests

Civil uprising in Ethiopia 2014–2016 Oromo protests Oromo conflict THE PERAPLE OF WOLKAIT.jpg Wolqayt demonstration in 2016 25 April 2014Ethiopia: Brutal Crackdown on Protests 5 May 2014 https://www.hrw.org/news/2014/05/05/ethiopia-brutal-crackdown-protests May 5, 2014 – December 2016Oromo People protest for against the expansion of the capital, 2015-2016 https://nvdatabase.swarthmore.edu/content/oromo-people-protest-against-expansion-capital-2015-2016 March 22, 2017Ethiopia: Lethal Force Against Protesters 18 December 2015 https://www.hrw.org/news/2015/12/18/ethiopia-lethal-force-against-protesters December 18, 20157 August 2016 'Several killed' as Ethiopia police clash with protesters https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-37004725 BBC 8 August 2016 Oromia Region, Addis Ababa north-western, southern and eastern part of the regions 8 August 2016 Internet shutdown ends as protests continue in Ethiopia https://www.bbc.com/news/live/world-africa-36881410 BBC Monitoring 8 August 2016 Ambo, Dembi Dolo, and NekemteMaasho Aaron 8 August 2016 At least 33 protesters killed in Ethiopia's Oromiya region: opposition https://af.reuters.com/article/topNews/idAFKCN10J0ZJ?sp=true https://web.archive.org/web/20170912011946/https://af.reuters.com/article/topNews/idAFKCN10J0ZJ?sp=true dead 12 September 2017 Reuters 8 August 2016Amhara Region, Gondar and Bahir Dar *Oromo youth demonstrations started as a controversial 2014 Addis Ababa Master Plan to expand the capital into Oromia Special Zone Surrounding Finfinne destroys the territorial integrity of Oromia by dividing it into two regionshttps://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-36940906 What is behind Ethiopia's wave of protests? BBC News August 22, 2016https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-39619979 Ethiopia rights body: 'More than 600 protest deaths' BBC News April 18, 2017https://www.dw.com/en/anti-government-protests-growing-in-ethiopia/a-19461345 Anti-government protests growing in Ethiopia | DW | 09.08.2016 DW.COMhttps://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/2/20/ethiopia-mass-protests-rooted-in-countrys-history Ethiopia: Mass protests 'rooted in country's history' Jillian Kestler-D'Amours www.aljazeera.com Amhara youth protesting in solidarity with the Oromo people and other Ethiopians against the authoritarian rule of the Tigray People's Liberation FrontWarner, Gregory, "Parallels: Ethiopia Grapples With The Aftermath Of A Deadly Weekend," August 10, 2016, National Public Radio (NPR), Washington, D.C., retrieved August 13, 2016 Most extreme drought in 50 years followed by extreme flooding, both displacing parts of the population While economic growth and industrialization takes place, the government disregards the rights and needs of the rural population, these are left behind Human rights abuses (detention of opposition demonstrators) Oromia Region Previous annexation of Wolqayt Tsegede in to the Tigray region. Unfair distribution of wealthMaasho Aaron 8 August 2016 Weekend Protests Across Ethiopia Leave More Than 12 Dead https://www.voanews.com/a/weekend-protests-across-ethiopia-leave-more-that-12-dead/3455351.html VOA 8 August 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160809125507/http://www.voanews.com/content/weekend-protests-across-ethiopia-leave-more-that-12-dead/3455351.html 9 August 2016 live Political marginalization Land seizures by the Ethiopian government * Policy improvement in the constitution surrounding human rights issue * Protests Demonstrations * A controversial Addis Ababa expansion plan sparked deadly violence in state of Oromia, which completely surrounding Addis Ababa was cancelledWhy Ethiopia is making a historic 'master plan' U-turn BBC News 18 January 2016 https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-35325536 18 January 2016 Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn submitted his resignation as Prime Minister of Ethiopia and EPRDF chairperson on 15 February 2018 in response to Oromo protests succeeded by Abiy Ahmed AliEthiopia PM Hailemariam Desalegn in surprise resignation https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-43073285 BBC News 15 February 2018 15 February 2018 Hundreds of killings and thousands of arrests in recent months by police At least 90 shot and killed by police (as of 8 August)Maasho Aaron 8 August 2016 At least 90 protesters killed in Ethiopia – residents, opposition http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-ethiopia-violence-idUKKCN10J0Z9 https://web.archive.org/web/20160808114155/http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-ethiopia-violence-idUKKCN10J0Z9 dead August 8, 2016 Reuters 8 August 2016– 500 (claimed by Human Rights Watch)Iaccino Ludovica 10 October 2016 EU calls for dialogue with Ethiopia as state of emergency declared http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/eu-calls-dialogue-ethiopia-state-emergency-declared-1585693 International Business Times Thousands of protesters attacked and/or arrested by police Suspected jailbreak attempt at Kaliti Prison resulting in at least 23 deaths Irreechaa Festival massacre resulting from police confrontation results in the deaths of 55–300 peoplehttps://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-37539975 Ethiopia mourns 55 killed during protest at Oromia festival BBC News 3 October 2016 15 July 2019 Six-month state of emergency declared on 9 October 2016 Oromia Oromo pro-democratic protesters Ethiopia Government of Ethiopia Ethiopia Ethiopian Federal Police Jawar Mohammed Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn 5,000+ (as of October 2016) 1,645https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-37716653 Ethiopia 'detains 1,600' under state of emergency BBC News 20 October 2016 Country Policy and Guidance Note Ethiopia Oromos including the Oromo Protests https://www.refworld.org/pdfid/5a1d65e14.pdf November 2017Ethiopia's unprecedented nationwide Oromo protests: who, what, why 6 August 2016 https://africanarguments.org/2016/08/ethiopias-unprecedented-nationwide-oromo-protests-who-what-why/ August 6, 2016Oromo protests: Why US must stop enabling Ethiopia 9 August 2016 https://edition.cnn.com/2016/08/09/africa/ethiopia-oromo-protest/index.html August 9, 2016The Oromo protests have changed Ethiopia https://www.aljazeera.com/opinions/2016/11/21/the-oromo-protests-have-changed-ethiopia November 21, 2016Oromo protests: Ethiopia unrest resurges after stampede https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2016/10/6/oromo-protests-ethiopia-unrest-resurges-after-stampede October 6, 2016Ethiopian forces 'killed 400 Oromo protesters' BBC News 16 June 2016 https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-36546917 June 16, 2016 The 2014–2016 Oromo protestsHundreds killed since start of Oromo protests https://www.dw.com/en/hundreds-killed-since-start-of-oromo-protests/a-36369836 November 12, 2016Ethiopia's unprecedented nationwide Oromo protests: who, what, why? 6 August 2016 https://africanarguments.org/2016/08/ethiopias-unprecedented-nationwide-oromo-protests-who-what-why/ August 6, 2016Oromo Protests: Defiance Amidst Pain and Suffering 16 December 2015 https://addisstandard.com/oromo-protests-defiance-amidst-pain-and-suffering/ December 16, 2015 were a series of protests and resistance in OromiaCountry Policy and Guidance Note Ethiopia Oromos including the Oromo Protests https://www.refworld.org/pdfid/5a1d65e14.pdf November 2017 which first sparked on 25 April 2014. The initial actions were taken in opposition to the Addis Ababa Master Plan, and resumed on 12 November 2015 by university students and farmers in the town of Ginchi, located 80 km southwest of Addis Ababa, encircled by Oromia. The plan was to expand the capital into the Oromia special zone, leading to fears that native Oromo farmers would lose their land and be displaced. The plan was later dropped but protests continued, highlighting issues such as marginalization and human rights. Mulatu Gemechu, deputy chairman of the opposition Oromo Federalist Congress, expressed to Reuters: "so far, we have compiled a list of 33 protesters killed by armed security forces that included police and soldiers but I am very sure the list will grow". Protesters demanded social and political reforms, including an end to human rights abuses like government killings of civilians, mass arrests, government land seizures, and political marginalization of opposition groups. The government responded by restricting access to the internetOONI, Ethiopia: Internet Shutdown Amidst Recent Protests?, Moses Karanja (CIPIT), Maria Xynou, Arturo Filastò 2016-08-10 00:00:00 +0000 UTC, https://ooni.torproject.org/post/ethiopia-internet-shutdown-amidst-recent-protests/Warner, Gregory, "Parallels: Ethiopia Grapples With The Aftermath Of A Deadly Weekend," August 10, 2016·National Public Radio (NPR), Washington, D.C., retrieved August 13, 2016 and attacking as well as arresting protesters.Gettleman Jeffrey August 12, 2016 'A Generation Is Protesting' in Ethiopia, Long a U.S. Ally NYT https://www.ethiopia-insight.com/2019/11/09/in-defense-of-jawar-a-brilliant-and-dedicated-agent-of-change/ In defense of Jawar, a brilliant and dedicated agent of change – Ethiopia Insight 9 November 2019 In the three days leading up to 8 August 2016, Reuters reported that at least 90 protesters had been shot and killed by Ethiopian security forces, marking the most violent crackdown against protesters in sub-Saharan Africa since at least 75 people were killed during protests in Oromia Region in November and December 2015.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AYVC7iSR2Qc At least 75 killed in Ethiopia protests CCTV News 19 December 2015 YouTubeTimes of India, Ethiopia Protests | At Least 140 Killed In Over State Land Plan, 8 January 2016, YouTube According to Human Rights Watch, at least 500 people are estimated to have been killed as of October 2016. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2016/10/ethiopia-killed-oromia-festival-stampede-161002100716026.html 3 October 2016 23 November 2016 Al Jazeera Ethiopia: Dozens killed in Oromia festival stampede https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2016/oct/20/state-of-emergency-likely-ramp-up-repression-fractured-ethiopia 20 October 2016 29 November 2016 William Davison The Guardian London State of emergency likely to ramp up repression in fractured Ethiopia Background and causes Power struggle In 1991, the Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) captured the capital Addis Ababa and ended the Ethiopian Civil War. The EPRDF was led by the Tigray People's Liberation Front and was dominated by those belonging to the Tigray ethnic group, which is a minority group comprising only about six percent of the country's population. However, members of this ethnic group have traditionally dominated senior positions in the country's military and political system, while those belonging to the Amhara and Oromo ethnic groups, who comprise a majority of the population, have felt rather marginalized over the past few decades.Ethiopia: Dozens killed in anti-government protests, Al Jazeera English, 8 Aug. 2016, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ui8fcjltmlI Ethnic divisions are not as sharp in Ethiopia as might be indicated by statistics; intermarriage is extremely commonplace, and the actual disparity and disaffection between groups are not great. Furthermore, following the death of Meles Zenawi in 2012, the influence of the Tigray ethnic group became lower than in previous decades. Subsequent to his death neither of the two main political positionsPresident (head of state) and Prime Minister (head of government)were occupied by a Tigrayan. Then-President Mulatu Teshome belonged to the Oromo ethnic group and then-Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn to the Wolayta ethnic group. Nevertheless, the perceived domination of the Tigray people had been in the back of the minds of some people and was a factor in the disturbances.March 2021 Addis Ababa Master Plan Protests were first sparked on 25 April 2014 against expansion of boundaries Addis Ababa city and government responded by shooting at and beating peaceful protesters and on 12 November 2015, university students in the town of Ginchi, 80 km southwest of Addis Ababa, engaged in full blown strikes and street protests.Country Policy and Guidance Note Ethiopia Oromos including the Oromo Protests November 2017 https://www.refworld.org/pdfid/5a1d65e14.pdf Protests spread throughout 400 different locales across 17 zones of Oromia regionKillings and Arrests in Response to Ethiopia's Oromo Protests Human Rights Watch 15 June 2016 https://www.hrw.org/report/2016/06/15/such-brutal-crackdown/killings-and-arrests-response-ethiopias-oromo-protests June 15, 2016 Horne Felix according to Amnesty International 800 Oromo protesters killed since started The 2016 Oromo youth demonstrations started because Addis Ababa's new city master plan proposed including farmlands from the surrounding Oromia region to cope with the city's rapid expansion. Amhara ethnic youth also followed the Oromos because of old bitterness towards the governing EPRDF (a party founded by the TPLF) who had instituted ethnic federalism which they claim promoted ethnic hatred, ethnic nationalism, and division in Ethiopia,Mamdani Mahmood 2019-01-03 Opinion The Trouble With Ethiopia's Ethnic Federalism en-US The New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/03/opinion/ethiopia-abiy-ahmed-reforms-ethnic-conflict-ethnic-federalism.html 2021-11-17 0362-4331Melesse Kassahun 2021-06-30 Ethnic federalism: a theory threatening to kill Ethiopia https://www.ethiopia-insight.com/2021/06/30/ethnic-federalism-a-theory-threatening-to-kill-ethiopia/ 2021-11-17 Ethiopia Insight en-USApril 18, 2017 Ethiopia rights body: 'More than 600 protest deaths' BBC News https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-39619979Anti-government protests growing in Ethiopia | DW | 09.08.2016 https://www.dw.com/en/anti-government-protests-growing-in-ethiopia/a-19461345 DW.COMKestler-D'Amours Jillian Ethiopia: Mass protests 'rooted in country's history' https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/2/20/ethiopia-mass-protests-rooted-in-countrys-history www.aljazeera.com while some have argued that Amhara protestors had ulterior motives of anger towards the TPLF because they had abolished what some claim to be a century-old Amhara dominance in Ethiopian governance.August 22, 2016 What is behind Ethiopia's wave of protests? BBC News https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-36940906 After deadly Oromo protests started since 25 April 2014, controversial master plan was cancelled on 12 January 2016 after 140 protesters were killed.Ethiopia Scraps Plan for Capital Area that Sparked Protests https://www.voanews.com/africa/ethiopia-scraps-plan-capital-area-sparked-protests https://web.archive.org/web/20200923104951/https://www.voanews.com/africa/ethiopia-scraps-plan-capital-area-sparked-protests dead September 23, 2020 January 13, 2016Ethiopia scraps Addis Ababa 'master plan' after protests kill 140 The Guardian 14 January 2016 https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jan/14/ethiopia-addis-master-plan-abandoned January 14, 2016 Chala Endalk Ethiopia cancels Addis Ababa master plan after Oromo protests BBC News 13 January 2016 https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-35300471 January 13, 2016 Drought and floods In 2014, both rainy seasons in Ethiopia saw irregular rainfall. In 2015, due to an extremely strong El Niño event, both rainy seasons in Ethiopia almost did not happen at all. That resulted in an acute drought in particular in the Highlands of Ethiopia, crops and pastures dried up and herds were dying. It was considered to be the worst drought in 50 years.https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/el-nino-linked-drought-ethiopia-s-worst-50-years-n520686 El Nino-Linked Drought Is Ethiopia's Worst in 50 Years NBC News 20 February 2016 The drought did hit particularly hard in Amhara Region and Oromia Region.http://www.agri-learning-ethiopia.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/AKLDP-El-Nino-Review-March-2016.pdf US Aid El Niño in Ethiopia, 2015–2016 – A Real-Time Review of Impacts and Responses March 2016 After 18 months of severe drought with almost nothing left over to eat for drought-affected people, very strong torrential rains that started in April 2016 did worsen the situation until October 2016. The flooding displaced people for months in exactly the same regions, that were most affected by the long drought.https://reliefweb.int/disaster/fl-2016-000045-eth Ethiopia: Floods – Apr 2016 OCHA 31 October 2016 Ethiopia is a multi-ethnic state. UNICEF experience in Ethiopia has shown such droughts and floods often result in humanitarian shocks and tensions between ethnic groups.https://www.unicef.org/ethiopia/UNICEF_Ethiopia_El_Nino_Emergency_Fast_Facts_1_April_2016.pdf Ethiopia El Niño Emergency UNICEF 1 April 2016 17 July 2017 15 January 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20180115071715/https://www.unicef.org/ethiopia/UNICEF_Ethiopia_El_Nino_Emergency_Fast_Facts_1_April_2016.pdf dead Rural discontent The country has been experiencing rapid economic growth since the 2000s and is one of the world's fastest-growing economies and is Africa's second-most populous country. Private Sector Boosts Ethiopia's Growth IFC http://www1.ifc.org/wps/wcm/connect/region__ext_content/regions/sub-saharan+africa/news/ethiopia_to_host_world_economic_forum 27 December 2012 But while economic development and growth and industrialization are supported a lot by the authoritarian government, often the needs of the rural population remain unconsidered, the freedom and civil rights of farmers and pastoralists in particular are often neglected. They are left behind.https://www.zeit.de/wirtschaft/2016-02/aethiopien-hunger-duerre-el-nino-entwicklungshilfe/komplettansicht El Niño lässt den Fortschritt verdorren de Die Zeit 22 February 2016 Protests The November and December 2015 protests in the Oromia Region that resulted in the killings of over 100 people by government forces. The 2015 protests were later followed by a police crackdown and the arrests of hundreds of opposition members.16 June 2016 At least 33 protesters killed in Ethiopia's Oromiya region: opposition https://www.hrw.org/report/2016/06/16/such-brutal-crackdown/killings-and-arrests-response-ethiopias-oromo-protests Human Rights Watch According to diplomatic, NGO, and opposition sources, hundreds of thousands of people marched in more than 200 towns and cities in the vast Oromia State, https://edition.cnn.com/2016/08/09/africa/ethiopia-oromo-protest/index.html 9 August 2016 22 November 2016 Awol K Allo CNN Oromo protests: Why US must stop enabling Ethiopia https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/aug/09/dozens-shot-dead-in-anti-government-protests-across-ethiopia-says-opposition 9 August 2016 22 November 2016 Reuters The Guardian London Dozens shot dead in anti-government protests across Ethiopia says opposition in protest at "the government's draconian and ever-escalating repression". https://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/opinion/2016/11/oromo-protests-changed-ethiopia-161119140733350.html 22 November 2016 Awol K Allo Al Jazeera The Oromo protests have changed Ethiopia This resulted in at least 148 people being killed on 5 and 6 August. Dozens killed in new wave of Ethiopia protests AFP 8 August 2016 http://www.timeslive.co.za/africa/2016/08/08/Dozens-killed-in-new-wave-of-Ethiopia-protests 9 August 2016 8 August 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160809145323/http://www.timeslive.co.za/africa/2016/08/08/Dozens-killed-in-new-wave-of-Ethiopia-protests dead On 2 October 2016, more protests occurred where an estimated two million people were attending the annual Irreechaa festival in Bishoftu in the Oromia region. The festival is attended by Oromos from all walks of life to celebrate life and nature. An anti-government protest disrupted the event, with some claiming they involved peacefully chanting slogans against the Oromo Peoples' Democratic Organization, https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-37534387 3 October 2016 23 November 2016 BBC News Oromia: Stampede at Ethiopia protest leaves 52 dead while others claim stones and bottles were thrown. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/oct/02/ethiopia-many-dead-anti-government-protest-religious-festival 3 October 2016 23 November 2016 Jason Burke The Guardian London Ethiopia: many dead in anti-government protest at religious festival People died in a stampede as a result of police using tear gas, rubber bullets and baton charges, falling into a deep ditch and being crushed, or drowning in a lake. While the Oromia regional government confirmed the deaths of 52 people, rights groups, the opposition leader, and local reports claim various numbers up to nearly 300 people dead. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-ethiopia-protests-idUSKCN1231PL?il=0 3 October 2016 29 November 2016 Aaron Maasho Reuters Protests hit Ethiopia after stampede deaths On August 6, hundreds of protesters marched on Meskel Square in Addis Ababa and shouted "we want our freedom" and "free our political prisoners". Dozens of protesters were arrested by Addis Ababa's police."Deaths and Detentions As Protests Flare in Ethiopia", AllAfrica, Addis Standard, 8 August 2016, https://allafrica.com/view/group/main/main/id/00045142.html Kaliti Prison 23 imprisoned Oromo protesters died in Kaliti Prison after a fire broke out, wherein 21 died from carbon monoxide poisoning and 2 were killed by security force after an attempt to escape.https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-37274883 Ethiopia fire kills 23 at prison 'holding Oromo protesters' BBC News 5 September 2016 Protest spread to Amhara Protests in the Oromia region spread to Amhara Region in the summer of 2016.Ethiopian Protests https://www.hrw.org/tag/ethiopian-protests n.d. In July 2016, the Anti-terrorism task force detained members of the Wolqayt Amhara Identity Committee (WAIC), a legally registered organisation. Soon after, protests erupted in many areas of the Amhara Region, the historic ethnic center of the Ethiopian state and home to the spectacular monolithic rock-cut churches of Lalibela and medieval castles of Gondar that attract tourists from all over.https://www.voanews.com/africa/us-issues-travel-warning-following-anti-government-protests-ethiopia https://web.archive.org/web/20201130063110/https://www.voanews.com/africa/us-issues-travel-warning-following-anti-government-protests-ethiopia dead November 30, 2020 US Issues Travel Warning Following Anti-government Protests in Ethiopia Voice of America One of the biggest demonstrations took place was on August 1, 2016, in Gondar city. Hundreds of thousands of people held a peaceful demonstration over the arrest of the WAIC members, government repression and protest Federal government encroachment in regional affairs. Protesters carried placards expressing solidarity with the Oromo people.https://www.africanews.com/2016/07/31/half-a-million-protesters-call-for-a-regime-change-in-ethiopia/ Tens of thousands of protesters call for a regime change in Ethiopia 31 July 2016 As they marched, they were heard to be chanting in Amharic "በኦሮምያ የሚፈሰዉ ደም ደማችን ነዉ" live https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211205/kj6Gc0VqQD8 2021-12-05 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kj6Gc0VqQD8 የኦሮምያዉ ህዝባዊ እምቢተኝነት እስከ ህዝባዊ ነጻነት (ዶ/ር መራራ ጉዲናም ይናገራሉ) YouTube 3 August 2016 which translates to “the pouring of blood in Oromia is our blood” http://www.ethiomedia.com/1016notes/7555.html After the Gondar Breakthrough www.ethiomedia.com 2017-04-15 2019-01-12 https://web.archive.org/web/20190112150020/http://www.ethiomedia.com/1016notes/7555.html deadhttps://www.africaintelligence.com/ION/politics--power/2016/09/02/oromo-and-amhara-form-united-front-against-tigrayans,108179429-EVE Oromo and Amhara form united front against Tigrayans – Ethiopia – The Indian Ocean Newsletter 02/09/2016 www.africaintelligence.com en 2017-04-15 and “the killings of our brothers in Oromia needs to stop”. They also drew attention to the dispute over the administration of Wolqayt Tsegede. A region that is currently part of the Tigray state despite its citizens identifying as ethnic Amhara.http://ecadforum.com/2016/08/05/ethiopia-tplf-is-killing-innocent-amharas/ https://web.archive.org/web/20160807213534/http://ecadforum.com/2016/08/05/ethiopia-tplf-is-killing-innocent-amharas/ usurped August 7, 2016 Ethiopia: TPLF is Killing Innocent Amharas +ecadforum 2016-08-05 ECADF Ethiopian News 2017-04-15http://welkait.com/?p=3544 My message to Amhara … it's time to break our silence : welkait.com welkait.com en-US 2017-04-15http://www.abugidainfo.com/index.php/23862/ TPLF is killing innocent Amharas By E. M. Akele Abugida Ethiopian American Information Center 2017-04-15 en-US https://web.archive.org/web/20170517151609/http://www.abugidainfo.com/index.php/23862/ 2017-05-17 deadhttp://www.zehabesha.com/amhara-uprising-poverty-as-a-cause-of-instability-by-d-k-bimrew/ Amhara Uprising: Poverty as a cause of instability by D. K. Bimrew Zehabesha – Latest Ethiopian News Provider 2017-04-15 Further demonstrations soon followed in the Amhara Region. Many protests spiraled into violence as security forces fired live bullets on protesters. On 5 August 2016, 50 student protesters were killed while protesting in the populous city of Bahir Dar, the capital of the Amhara Region and a major tourist destination. Evidence collected by Ethiopian Human Rights Project has so far shown that major protests took place in 6 of the 11 zones in the Amhara Region. The zones included North Gondar, South Gondar, Bahir Dar Special, Agew Awi, East Gojam and West Gojam zones. Anti-government street demonstrations and "stay at home" protests took place in small wereda towns and in some cases in rural kebeles across the six zones. The protests that were ignited in the historic town of Gondar, quickly spread to Debarq, Debre Tabor, Metema, Ambagiorgis, Wereta, Simada, Gayint, Bahir Dar, Finote Selam, Burre, Enjibara, Dangila, Chagni, Tilili, Birsheleqo, Quarit, Dembecha, Amanuel, Debre Markos and other towns.March 2021 After the growing discontent in Amhara Region and Oromia Region the Israeli Foreign Ministry issued a travel warning on 1 September 2016. The Amhara Region included in the warning includes the city of Gondar, a popular site for many Israeli tourists and an area where many Ethiopian Jews originated. The warning was announced a day after the Prime Minister of Ethiopia Hailemariam Desalegn's announcement on the state owned media EBC and gave direct order for the Ethiopia Army forces to use any force necessary to bring order to the region.https://www.tesfanews.net/deaths-tension-ethiopia-army-amhara-region/ Deaths, Tensions Rise After Ethiopia PM Sends Army to Amhara Region 2016-09-02 TesfaNews 2017-04-15 en-UShttp://ecadforum.com/2016/09/01/ethiopian-regime-soldiers-shooting-unarmed-people/ https://web.archive.org/web/20160902173848/http://ecadforum.com/2016/09/01/ethiopian-regime-soldiers-shooting-unarmed-people/ usurped September 2, 2016 Warning Extremely Graphic: Ethiopian Regime Soldiers Shooting Unarmed People +ecadforum 2016-09-01 ECADF Ethiopian News 2017-04-15 The protesters continued and several flower farms were burned down in Amhara Region and clashes between security forces and local protesters continued.https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/africa/ethiopia-imposes-state-of-emergency-as-unrest-intensifies/2016/10/10/7825391e-8ee9-11e6-bc00-1a9756d4111b_story.html Ethiopia imposes state of emergency as unrest intensifies Washington Post 2017-04-15https://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/10/world/africa/ethiopia-state-of-emergency.html Ethiopia Declares State of Emergency After Violent Protests Reuters 2016-10-09 The New York Times 2017-04-15 0362-4331 The Ethiopian Government declared a state of emergency on 8 October 2016. On 16 October 2016, the government announced, restrictions and prohibitions on Internet usage, postings on Facebook, crossing the wrists above the head, diplomatic travel, fire arms and the viewing of media that the government deems to be “terrorist media”.https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2016/10/14/in-ethiopias-war-against-social-media-the-truth-is-the-main-casualty/ In Ethiopia's war against social media, the truth is the main casualty Washington Post 2017-04-15 There were also curfews in both regions from 18:00 to 06:00 to prevent further violence.https://www.reuters.com/article/us-ethiopia-unrest-idUSKCN1290EC Ethiopia blames foreigners for unrest, U.N. experts seek probe 2017-10-10 Reuters 2017-04-15http://thepointnews.com/2016/10/declared-state-of-emergency-in-ethiopia Declared State of Emergency in Ethiopia Cruz Angela 2016-10-23 The Point News 2017-04-15 en-US https://web.archive.org/web/20170224191902/http://thepointnews.com/2016/10/declared-state-of-emergency-in-ethiopia 2017-02-24 dead The government crackdown was tough. Maina Kiai, a U.N. rights rapporteur, said "The scale of this violence and the shocking number of deaths make it clear that this is a calculated campaign to eliminate opposition movements and silence dissenting voices”.http://www.ohchr.org/en/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=20663&LangID=E Ethiopia: UN experts call for international commission to help investigate systematic violence against protesters www.ohchr.org en-US 2017-04-15 The Human Rights Watch estimated that at least 400 people were killed in protests over the next several months.https://www.hrw.org/news/2016/08/13/ethiopian-forces-kill-100-protesters Ethiopian Forces Kill 'Up to 100' Protesters 2016-08-13 Human Rights Watch 2017-04-15 en As a continuation of the Amhara protest, two years later several protests were held in Northern Wollo province. In January 2018, Ethiopian security forces killed seven people and wounded several others in the town of Woldia, 500 km north of Addis Ababa along the main road to Mekele. Nigussu Tilahun, the head of the Amhara region's communications bureau at the time, confirmed that deaths had occurred but did not say how many. A huge crowd of people were parading through the streets of the town for the annual Timket festival, an Ethiopian Orthodox Christian celebration of Epiphany when a group of young men protested because the federal police forces prohibited them from making round dancing and chanting. A witness said police had fired into the crowd and the crowd began running in all directions.https://www.ethiopiaobserver.com/2018/01/20/at-least-7-people-have-been-killed-during-timket-celebration-in-woldia/ At least seven people have been killed during Timket celebration in Woldia Ethiopia Observer January 20, 2018 The United Nations High Commission for Human Rights (UNHRC) condemned the incident in Woldia, stating that the incident “reportedly took place when the security forces tried to stop people from chanting anti-government songs and allegedly opened fire on them", and that "protesters reportedly later blocked roads and destroyed a number of properties.”https://www.reuters.com/article/us-ethiopia-violence-idUSKBN1FC2GC Ethiopian protesters killed for singing anti-government songs: U.N. Reuters January 23, 2018 www.reuters.com This comes just two weeks after Ethiopia's ruling coalition, the Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front, officially announced its intention to undertake reforms following protests that began in 2016.March 2021 Seven people have also been killed in the northern town of Kobo after security forces fired on a crowd who were reportedly protesting the killings in Woldia. A ten-year-old boy and two members of the defence forces were among those killed. Many more were injured in the incident. Protesters gathered around the town's police station to condemn the security forces' brutality at a religious ceremony in Woldia their not being held accountable in a court of law.https://www.ethiopiaobserver.com/2018/01/25/seven-killed-kobo-protest/ Seven killed at Kobo protest Ethiopia Observer January 25, 2018 Later on, thousands demonstrated, opposing the killings of innocent people at Timket festival in Woldia and calling for an end to police beatings, with protests reported in Habru districts of Mersa, Robit, Gobiye, all of the towns crossed by the main all-weather road from Addis Ababa to Mekele. In Mersa, around 10 people were shot dead.https://www.ethiopiaobserver.com/2018/01/27/protests-spread-north-wollo-towns-ten-killed-mersa/ Protests spread in North Wollo towns, ten killed in Mersa Ethiopia Observer January 27, 2018 Reactions Domestic The Ethiopian government denied violence was being committed by the country's security forces, naming regional rivals Eritrea and Egypt as fomenting the ongoing unrest.https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-37607751 Ethiopia blames Egypt and Eritrea over unrest 2016-10-10 BBC News en-GB 2016-10-11 International The United States Embassy in Addis Ababa released a statement of concern. Several dozen shot dead in weekend protests across Ethiopia 8 August 2016 The Washington Post https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/several-dozen-fatally-shot-in-weekend-protests-across-ethiopia/2016/08/08/e03956d6-5d96-11e6-8e45-477372e89d78_story.html Legislation was authored by US Congressman Chris Smith, to protect civilians in Ethiopia as well as promote democracy and good governance. The legislation also "calls on the Secretary of State to improve the oversight and accountability of U.S. assistance in Ethiopia". Rep. Smith was joined by U.S. Representative Mike Coffman as well as victims of torture at the hands of the Ethiopian Government Seenaa Jimjimo, Tewondrose Tirfe and Guya Abaguya Deki, during a press conference to announce this legislation.Chris Smith. 2017. Chris Smith . [ONLINE] Available at: https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=400152. [Accessed 17 February 2017]. In May 2017, Prince Zeid bin Ra'ad, the High Commissioner for Human Rights, said he would open an investigation into the human rights abuses perpetrated during the protests.Maasho Aaron U.N. human rights chief pushes for inquiry into Ethiopia unrest https://www.reuters.com/article/us-ethiopia-unrest-idUSKBN1802D2 May 5, 2017 Reuters May 4, 2017 See also 2014 Addis Ababa Master Plan Human rights in Ethiopia List of protests in the 21st century References 30em External links Ethiopia pages – U.S. Dept. of State (which includes current State Dept. press releases and reports on Ethiopia) Category:2014 in Ethiopia Category:2015 in Ethiopia Category:2016 in Ethiopia Category:2014 protests Category:2015 protests Category:2016 protests Category:Oromo conflict Category:Labor disputes in Ethiopia Category:2014 labor disputes and strikes Category:2015 labor disputes and strikes Category:2016 labor disputes and strikes Category:Political repression in Ethiopia Category:Protests in Ethiopia Category:Human stampedes in 2016 Category:21st-century mass murders in Ethiopia Category:2015 disasters in Ethiopia Category:2016 disasters in Ethiopia Category:Prelude to the Tigray war Category:History of Oromia Category:21st century in the Amhara Region Category:2010s in Addis Ababa Category:Police brutality in Africa Category:2016 mass murders Category:April 2014 in Ethiopia Category:November 2015 in Ethiopia Category:December 2015 in Ethiopia Category:August 2016 in Ethiopia Category:October 2016 in Ethiopia