Security forces kill one person as tension continues in Konso

ESAT News (March 8, 2016)

Ethiopian regime security forces killed a man in Koso as tension continued for the fourth day on Tuesday following heightened confrontations on Saturday between the forces and the people of Konso who have been demanding their constitutional rights of self-administration as enshrined in the Ethiopian constitution.

Sources said Mr. Soyta Gara was killed in a place locally known as Debena Kebele by the regime’s forces deployed in the area following last Saturday skirmishes. Residents blocked the main highway connecting Arba Minch and Jinka last week but the federal police have forced their way through arresting several people, according to sources.

The police were searching for the 12 member elders committee that spearheaded the peoples’ demand but the residents were warning that any action against the elders would aggravate the situation. On Saturday regime’s forces have arrested Mr. Gezahegn Gela, the chairman of the elders committee established to present the demands of the people Konso to the Federal government, according to sources who spoke to ESAT from Konso.

The UN has warned its staff against travelling to Konso. Schools have remained closed.