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May 3/
2007 ON
THE METEHARA PROJECT AND THE REPRESSION AGAINST AFARS The
secretly guarded so-called Metahara project is leading to the arrest and
brutalization of dozens of Afars in the region. The reports indicate with
certainty that the Meles Zenawi regime has drafted a vast plan of settling
Tigreans in the Methara area by displacing no less than 150,000 Afars.The
Metehara project funded by foreigners involves the extension of the sugar
plantation project and the development of other new projects (cotton,etc..).
The project will lead to the displacement of thousands of Afars and the
massive resettlement of Tigreans is also,as in Abderafi/Gondar region,
likely to lead to conflicts and bloodshed. Dozens
of Afars who have voiced opposition to the project have now been rounded
up and imprisoned in Asaita and Dessie. According to the reports,the
project is kept secret so much so the President of the Afar kilil/region/
is not even informed on the details of it. SOCEPP condemns the repression
unleashed against Afars in the region as a consequence of this project
that would surely have many bad consequences. The removal of Afars from
their land and the takeover of the same land by setlers from another
ethnic group is sure to lead to inter ethnic conflicts and thus should be
stopped immediately. Release
the jailed Afars from prison! Stop
the controversial Metehara Project or inform the Ethiopian people
in detail about it. |