Students die in clashes with Ethiopian security forces over plans to expand
the capital
The Ethiopian government reported nine students have died as a result of
"disturbances" caused by "anti-peace forces" in Oromia Regional State who
reacted violently to plans to expand the capital city of Addis Ababa into
Oromia state. One witness disputed the government's low casualty figure,
saying that in one week, 47 students have died.
By JC Finley | May 2, 2014 at 9:52 AM |
<
http://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2014/05/02/Students-die-in-clashes-w
ith-Ethiopian-security-forces-over-plans-to-expand-the-capital/4781399035665
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ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, May 2 (UPI) -- Students in Ethiopia's Oromia Regional
State have been engaging in deadly clashes with security forces since April
25 over reported plans to expand the capital, Addis Ababa.
On Thursday, the government's Communications Affairs Office
<
http://213.55.98.22/enae/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=1980:violence
-causes-damage-in-oromia-regional-state&Itemid=260#.U2OZ01fn3Uu> released a
statement regarding the unrest, which it attributed to "baseless rumors
which discredit the value and aim of the integrated development master plan
designed to integrate Addis Ababa with the Oromia Special Zone surrounding
the city through development."
The plan is up for public discussion, the government said.
"However, before the full-scale holding of the public discussions with
stakeholders in all the regional states, loss of lives and property have
occurred in some universities where students confused by deliberate
misleading rumors and gossips created havoc."
According to the government's report, a total of nine students have died
because of the "disturbances" caused by "anti-peace forces."
That statistic was challenged by one Ambo resident who
<
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-27251331> told the BBC that 47 people
have been killed since the unrest began a week earlier.
"I saw more than 20 bodies on the streets," the unidentified witness said.
"I am hiding in my house because I am scared." Four students were killed
Monday and 43 students on Tuesday following a large demonstration. Streets,
she said, are now deserted with local businesses shuttered, classes canceled
at Ambo University -- where protests began -- and students not allowed to
leave.
Received on Fri May 02 2014 - 17:20:29 EDT
