Mass Murder of Amharas in Benishangul-Gumez RegionSeptember 17, 2020Human Rights/In Other NewsTargeted attacks against Amharas have occurred again in Benishangul-Gumez Region of Ethiopia. Amhara Association of America (AAA) has received reports that 89 people mainly Amhara/Agew have been killed by Gumez militias in an attack spanning several days starting September 4. We are still collecting information, but here is what we have learned from our sources in Ethiopia:The attacks were carried out in three kebeles (sub-districts) of the Bulen District, Metekel Zone, by a militia comprised of ethnic Gumuz (which comprise about 34% of the population in Bulen). The militias seized the victims from their homes during the night in three kebeles (Eipare, Koshe Gonjie and Moji) and took them to Eipare primary school. The militias handcuffed the victims, took them one by one to a shed they built nearby, and then shot them execution-style. Some were apparently killed in other locations for refusing to be taken to the school.has identified 37 victims from the Eibare Kebele (see the list below). The 89 victims across Bulen District include 5 Shinasha (largest ethnic group in Bulen) who opposed the Gumuz militiaâs actions. Another 20 people were wounded and are being treated in a hospital in Bulen, while an additional 80 people are âunaccounted forâ by the local government. Approximately 1,200 people across 239 households have been displaced in these districts and are currently sheltered in a meeting hall in Bulen Township (capital of the district).The victims were displaced from their homes in these kebeles in March 2020 by unknown assailants but were resettled back to their homes in June by the government. The Gumez militia told their victims in this attack that they are being killed for not respecting their order to leave âtheir (Benishangul) regionâ. The regional government responded first to this attack by censoring information by limiting data and cellular services but has now deployed the federal army after information started spreading beyond the Region.This latest attack follows similar attacks against Amharas in Metekel zone of Benishangul in July.Examples include:On July 27th, Gumez militiamen killed 14 Amharas and wounded six in Jadia Kebele, Guba District of Metekel Zone. On July 31st, armed Gumez militia mounted an attack in Alemhal Kebele of Guba woreda, Metekel Since the attack was during the day the targeted Amharas managed to save their lives but their houses and properties were set ablaze and more than 2500 Amharas in the area (Alemhal, Kota, Mankush) flee for their life. On August 25th, Gumez militiamen went to a house of Neguse Tesfa in Ayesad, and wounded his wife (Dafash) and killed his daughter (Yeneguse). On September 2nd, armed militia groups killed farmer Aschalew and two youngsters who were herding cattle (Gezahegn and Habtam) and took more than 50 animals. On September 8th, Gumez militia mounted similar attacks in Aygalie kebele and killed the following Amharas:Daso AberaAddisu SenbetaTilahun AbebeMekuraia AbebeW/o MantegeboshGiven the increasing frequency of the attacks in B-G and the regional governmentâs refusal to acknowledge until information about these attacks have been leaked, there seems to be implicit permission by the local authorities for this violence to occur.List of Victims from the Eibare KebeleOne of the survivors, Ato Setotaw Awoke lost four family members and three employees:Yeserash Gessese- his wifeAyenew Setotaw-sonBelesti Setotaw-sonEyersualem Setotaw- daughterEbababey Lake-employeeGashawâemployeeNiguessie – employeeAdditional names of individuals killed:Yetayesh Mihret and her newborn triplesAto Bisahw and his six other family membersBekele and his six family membersWorkayehu TeferaAbebayehu AsferawuTejitu TadeseDagnachew ZewduBezaiwt AbebeAbebe EkadalamewuMekoneneFentaneshYengussieAgegnehuGebrehiwotMesganawWe are asking anyone who has information regarding this tragedy to please email AAA at info@AmharaAmerica.org.Note: This report has been shared with international human rights organizations, U.S. Congressional officials, State Department, and media. Post Views: 1 Share this Facebook Twitter Pinterest Whatsapp Email Leave a Reply Cancel replyYour email address will not be published. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Δ Previous StoryHiber Radio Daily Ethiopian News Sept 17, 2020 Next StoryEthiopia has started clamping down on independent media again as tensions riseLatest from Human Rights Ethiopian authorities detain Ethio News chief editor Belay Manaye without charge December 4, 2023 CPJ Nairobi, December 4, 2023âEthiopian authorities should unconditionally release Belay Manaye, chief editor Identifying the Drone-Launched Munitions Used in Ethiopian Air Strikes Amnesty International In a very short period of time, since armed conflict broke out in the Amhara region crisis under Abiy Ahmed rule Amhara region has been involved in several crisis and related humanitarian consequences for years but before Urgent Appeal for Resolute Action: Abiy Ahmedâs Regime’s Relentless Brutality in the Amhara Region Amid Global Apathy Bruke Lemma, PhD âThe only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good people Ethiopia: United Nations Special Adviser warns of heightened risk of genocide and related atrocity crimes UNITED NATIONS PRESS RELEASE For immediate release Ethiopia: United Nations Special Adviser warns of heightened risk
Ethiopian authorities detain Ethio News chief editor Belay Manaye without charge December 4, 2023 CPJ Nairobi, December 4, 2023âEthiopian authorities should unconditionally release Belay Manaye, chief editor
Identifying the Drone-Launched Munitions Used in Ethiopian Air Strikes Amnesty International In a very short period of time, since armed conflict broke out in the
Amhara region crisis under Abiy Ahmed rule Amhara region has been involved in several crisis and related humanitarian consequences for years but before
Urgent Appeal for Resolute Action: Abiy Ahmedâs Regime’s Relentless Brutality in the Amhara Region Amid Global Apathy Bruke Lemma, PhD âThe only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good people
Ethiopia: United Nations Special Adviser warns of heightened risk of genocide and related atrocity crimes UNITED NATIONS PRESS RELEASE For immediate release Ethiopia: United Nations Special Adviser warns of heightened risk