November 21, 2001

 EPRDF SOLDIERS KILL 8 PEOPLE IN NEGELLE BORENA

 EPRDF soldiers, who were trying to disarm peasants by force, have shot and killed eight people in the district of Welenso, in the vicinity of Figandadecha, in Borena, Southern Ethiopia. The peasants had tried to explain to the soldiers that they needed the arms to protect their cattle from wild animals and the heavily armed cattle robbers who plague the area.

Among the ones shot dead by the EPRDF troops on November 18/2001,we have the names of Tala Kalesa Gada,Galma Dabaso,Kalicha Boru,Kalicha Balambel,Dida Harero Boru,Haro Godana and Jatena Gelgelo. Of the more than 12 people wounded at the timne we can cite the names of Gidaro Melole,Dabaso Gutu,Sora Jerso,Wariyo Kulisa,Shaba Kari,Liben Roba,Hasan Dimo,Kan Boru,Bonaya Abcha, Melicha Abcha,Golga Didano and Afetu Sora.

It is to be noted that EPRDF political and military officials were present in Negele during the incident. Moreover, the region has been in the past the site of inter ethnic conflicts (specially between the Boran/Oromos and the Gere/Somalis) provoked, many witnesses say, by the cadres of the EPRDF itself.

SOCEPP