Security forces shot dead Konso rights campaigner

ESAT News (September 20, 2016)

The attack by TPLF security forces on the Segen people of Konso has continued unabated as one person was killed and two other sustained injuries on Monday bringing the death toll to 50.

Security forces attacked two localities in Segen Zone in a bid to arrest members of a committee that spearheads the constitutional demand by the people of Konso for self-administration. Their appeal was rejected by both regional as well as the federal government that claims to espouse a federal system.

The body of the deceased was found left outside a clinic, sources told ESAT. The injured were taken to Arba Minch town.

Residents who spoke to ESAT on the phone said the army that is deployed to the area has been searching houses and looting properties of the residents.

Fifty people were reportedly killed by TPLF security forces in the renewed attack on the people of Konso who demanded self-administration. Fourteen of the bodies have not been recovered so far.

The people of Konso, for the last two years, have been demanding for the Konso to be given a recognition of zonal status as per the constitution. The response to their demand by the TPLF regime has so far been violence and deadly force.

Last week, security forces set ablaze houses of people of Amhara ethnic origin in what resident said was a futile attempt to incite ethnic violence between the locals and the Amharas, who lived in Konso since time immemorial. About 12,000 Amharas were forced to leave their villages following the attack.