Massive attack on Hamar tribes leaves several people dead

ESAT News (June 1, 2015)

ESAT sources from Hamar, Jinka, South Omo, revealed that a severe conflict between Hamar pastoralists and Ethiopian federal police claimed several lives.

The informant who want to remain anonymous told ESAT that the cause of the conflict that occurred last week was related to administrative problems. Displacing and confiscating of Hamars’ land and giving it to investors in the pretext of investment has made local people to rise against the administration. In addition, Hamar men were sued for killing buffalos in the wild. Information obtained from the area show that local administrative office force Hamar households to send their girls to school. When the girls reach the age of puberty, they are usually raped by the local high and low rank cabinet members and administrators. These atrocities angered local communities.  Yet, local administrators are not held accountable even if they commit horrible crimes against humanity.

Sources told ESAT that unknown number of cattle from Hamar were recently looted by armed Nyangatom pastoralist. The Ethiopian government did not stop, or pursue them after the incident; instead, Hamar people were asked by Ethiopian security forces gave an ultimatum to open a road that connects Nyangatom area in five days. The Defense force officers told the local leaders, “If you don’t open the road in 5 days, we [Ethiopian Defense Forces] will take severe action.”

A battalion that took orders from senior defense force officers in Addis Ababa battled local Hamar tribe warriors. The Ethiopian defense forces were reportedly used mortars, launchers, caliber machine guns and Kalashnikovs to attack Hamar armed men. It was reported that 48 people died by a mortar attack. Sources told ESAT that several people from both sides were maimed and killed.

ESAT sources revealed that people including students (Ato Bale from Lala kebele, Student Lali from Sembele kebele, Shikuwa from Shanko kebele, and Teacher Sango Leli from shanko kebele) were arrested and received heavy wounds from the butt of rifle and beatings for purportedly passing information to the local tribesmen. Even though the elders requested the security forces to negotiate, their effort proved futile. Other town residents also pleaded the Ethiopian security forces to stop ethnic cleansing in the area, but the security forces in collaboration with few local Hamar administrators killed those who revolted against the administrative offices in the area.

It is believed that several Hamar warriors retreated to a different locality due to the presence of heavy security personnel. The conflict may escalate despite a repeated plea by the local residents.