March 31, 2025
Borkena
Toronto – Two children of the same family were killed last Saturday in the Arba Minch area of Gamo zone, south Ethiopia, DW reported citing Zeise Wozeka district security head.
Arba Minch peace and security office head Kome Kota is cited as saying that the children were seven and four years old.
Security authorities linked the incident to what they called “organized groups” – armed groups.
Kome said “the attack on the children is shocking, barbaric and one that drifts from humanity.” Based on DW Amharic report, it appears that the gunmen also opened fire on the residence of a district government official. No casualty reported from this incident but the house is said to be damaged.
The government alleges that those who are behind the attack including the barbaric killings of the children are armed groups operating in the region with a demand for change in government structure (apparently in the zone).
It is said that one suspect is arrested and a search is underway to capture the others who were involved in the attack but their numbers are unspecified.
The Arba Minich area administration has reportedly pointed fingers at Ethiopian Citizens For Social Justice (EZEMA) – one of the opposition parties in the country that has recently been criticized by many Ethiopians in the opposition quarter for allying with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s administration. The district administration alleges that EZEMA members were involved in the attack.
EZEMA has released a statement in response to the allegation. It claims that the district administration has “opened a character assassination campaign” against EZEMA. The district has indulged in gross labeling while it should have investigated the crime legally.
Asked to remark on EZEMA’s statement, Sofonias Titos, Arba Minch area district government communication office head, reportedly said “EZEMA members in Zeise Wozeka district are “extremists.”
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