Ethiopia: Amharas in Benishangul region face mistreatment

ESAT News (December 27, 2016)

Ethnic Amharas in Benishangul Gumuz region of Ethiopia say they are facing beatings, imprisonment and harassment perpetrated by the local and regional authorities.

A representative who spoke to ESAT say authorities are jailing people whom they accuse of transferring arms to guerilla fighters opposing the Ethiopian regime.

There have been reports of clashes between regime forces and armed groups in the area. Earlier reports show that a tank has been attacked and set ablaze by freedom fighters near the Tana Beles Sugar Project site.

The victims in a locality known as Bulen say authorities have looted their harvest and properties falsely accusing them of supporting the guerrilla fighters.

Last month hundreds of Amharas in Asosa have been displaced after authorities gave their land to developers, forcing them to migrate to nearby towns and other areas.

An estimated 80,000 Amharas live in Benishangul Gumuz region in western Ethiopia.