Close friend of Yenesew Gebre commits suicide

Nov. 1 (ESAT News)–A close friend of Yenesew Gebre committed suicide last Friday in protest against administrative injustice and bullying in Dawro, Southern Ethiopia, after the self-immolation of his friend. Yenesew is widely revered among Ethiopians as a freedom martyr as he made the selfless sacrifice protesting the injustice and oppression in Ethiopia.

Girma Woldemariam, who was a gold medal awardee for his outstanding academic achievement, was a graduate of economics from Arabamich University, his family members told ESAT.

While working at the tax and administration office in Mareka Woreda, he suffered persistent administrative injustices and pressure that put him under immense stress. Girma was also suspended from his job without pay for the last four months.  Though he lodged complaints with the concerned officials, he was unable to get any redress.

Frustrated with the injustice and persecution he faced at the hands of the local officials, Girma committed suicide by hanging in public.

Administrator of the Mareka Woreda denied to ESAT that the cause of Girma’s death was administrative injustice. A friend of Girma, who claimed to have faced serious problems due to an interview he gave to the VOA in relation to the self-immolation of Yenesew told ESTA that the family members of Girma have also been facing harassment and intimidation for holding dissident views.