Security forces kill one person, injure twenty in Nekemte, Western Ethiopia

by Engidu Woldie

ESAT News (February 27, 2018)

One person was killed and 20 others wounded when snipers of the TPLF/Agazi forces indiscriminately shot at protesters in the city of Nekemte, Western Ethiopia.

Abebe Mekonnen, was shot by sniper fire this morning at the central square of Nekemte, a city that has seen renewed protest demonstration against the TPLF regime since last Saturday after leaders of the opposition Oromo Federalist Congress (OFC) were banned from entering to address their supporters.

Another person was killed on Saturday in the town of Dembi Dolo, also in the Oromo region, it was learnt.

Video shared on social media today show a group of snipers roaming a neighborhood in Nekemte.

The killing in Nekemte came on the day the regime issued a stern warning through state-controlled media outlets to what it called “anti-peace elements” and ordered security forces to “take all measures necessary” against protesters who defy the state of emergency declared a week ago.

The six-month martial law, the second in two years, was declared amid persistent pressure from the public for the release of political prisoners and a call for an end to 27 years of misrule by the TPLF, an oligarchy that solely controls political power and grips economic upper-hand.