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Africa Horn | ||
US calls for investigation into alleged civilian killings in Ethiopia's Amhara region | ||
2024-02-10 | ||
[AFRICANEWS] The U.S. is calling for an investigation into an alleged massacre of civilians in Æthiopia's Amhara region, where a local rights group says more than 80 people were killed last week following festivities between soldiers and gangs. The U.S. ambassador to Æthiopia, Ervin Massinga, said Friday that the "U.S. government is deeply concerned" by the reports from the town of Merawi and called for "unfettered access by independent human rights When they're defined by the state or an NGO they don't mean much... monitors as well as an impartial investigation to ensure the perpetrators are brought to justice." Massinga said in a statement that the reported killings of civilians in Merawi followed "disturbing reports of other violations" in Amhara and elsewhere in Æthiopia, which is gripped by several internal conflicts. A rebellion broke out in Amhara last April when the government moved to dissolve regional forces and absorb them into the federal army. A militia group known as the Fano launched a surprise assault in August in which they captured towns across Amhara over several days before retreating to the countryside.
On Tuesday, the Æthiopia Human Rights Council said it had received information "showing that massive human rights violations were committed" during fighting in Merawi on Jan. 29. It said more than 80 non-combatants were killed, mostly men. The rights group said the killings "were conducted by moving from house to house" during searches. However, facts are stubborn; statistics are more pliable... it stopped short of laying blame for the shootings, saying it was unable to visit the site, and called for a further investigation. Until recently, the Fano were allied with the federal military in the war against the Tigray People's Liberation Front
Last week, Æthiopia's parliament voted to extend a state of emergency in the Amhara region in an attempt to quash the Fano rebellion. Related: Amhara: 2024-01-13 Israel agreed to expand transfer aid to Gaza in exchange for meds for hostages — official Amhara: 2023-12-07 Ethiopia: more than 50 civilians killed in November attacks Amhara: 2023-11-10 Ethiopia: militiamen evacuate the holy city of Lalibela, the army returns Related: Fano : 2023-11-10 Ethiopia: militiamen evacuate the holy city of Lalibela, the army returns Fano : 2023-08-30 Ethiopia: at least 183 dead in Amhara clashes since July (UN) Fano : 2023-08-12 Ethiopia: return to ''calm'' in Amhara after a withdrawal of militias Related: Tigray People''s Liberation Front: 2024-02-04 Not just UNWRA: The Sexual Predators of the WHO Tigray People''s Liberation Front: 2023-09-08 Opposition leaders in Ethiopia's Tigray 'arrested' ahead of rally Tigray People''s Liberation Front: 2023-06-14 Tigray and Amhara leaders reconcile in Ethiopia | ||
Posted by:Fred |
#3 the US government can't mind their goddamn business about anything can they? |
Posted by: Chris 2024-02-10 07:04 |
#2 And not Chicago? DC? Baltimore? |
Posted by: Procopius2k 2024-02-10 06:35 |
#1 "U.S. government is deeply concerned" Tell that to the cognizantly deficient white house resident. |
Posted by: Skidmark 2024-02-10 06:05 |