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December 20, 1999 RESSION AGAINST THE MALEE ETHNIC GROUP The Malee ethnic group, living in the Northern and Southern zones of Omo (Southern region), has been in the past a victim of the repressive actions of the EPRDF government. Once again, it is being subjected to violent repression for the simple reason that the people had asked peacefully asked for an end to the zonal division and the administrative regrouping of those living in Southern Omo zone into the Northern Omo one. In stead of ending the arbitrary division of the people into different zones and so-called Kilils, the government of Prime Ministr Meles Zenawi opted to use force to repress the people and end with their peaceful demands. Thus, SOCEPP has learnt that a military force which moved from the Welaita region during the night of November 25 entered the town of Kebeto (Southern Omo) and operated up to Kecho thereby killing and arresting scores of people. Among the dead figure the elderly Ato MOLA TONE while the following are amongst those detained at the time: Atos DERCHA GITA, GDAWA G'QA, LEMA KIDANA, HANZA INDRIS, GOIDA TUTO AND ABDOSHE. The people have expressed grave indignation for the repression unleashed on them just because they had asked "to live together as a people". The government forces have stepped up the security presence in the whole region following clashes linked to the government imposed Wogageda "language" which had been rejected by the people. It is to be recalled that government forces had clashed with the people in the Welaita region in November, and the clashes had led to some deaths and the arrest and torture of more than 150 students and teachers SOCEPP calls on the government of the EPRDF to stop the repression against ethnic minorities and end the politically motivated actions against several ethnic groups in the Southern region. SOCEPP
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