Presence of Agazi forces worsens tensions in Oromia region

ESAT News (March 16, 2016)

A representative of the Blue Party in Borena zone, and an organizer of the ongoing protest in Guji zone, in the Oromia region of Ethiopia told ESAT on Wednesday that the heavy presence of Agazi forces, a special kill squad of the regime in Addis Ababa had made the situation even tense in the region where people have been protesting for the last for months against economic and political marginalization by the minority regime.

Getachew Bekele, the representative of the Blue Party and a leading member of the uprising in Guji, whose name is withheld for his safety, said the protest in the region would continue until the demands by the people for justice, economic and political rights have been met.

He said the people in Oromia region were forced to stage an uprising as the regime failed to respect their political and economic rights. The regime had also opted for the use of deadly force against the people while at the same time giving contradictory statements about the popular uprising that’s taking place in all directions in the country.

One of the organizers of the protest in Guji also said the people there were able to take control of the Okote Gold Mining site for several days but they were overcome by brutal Agazi forces. He however said they would continue their struggle until their demands were met.