ESAT News (October 17, 2018)
Special forces of the Afar region in Northern Ethiopia have shot and wounded eight people in a demonstration that was called to denounce the regional government for failing to respond to public demand for development and respect for human rights.
Residents who spoke to ESAT on the phone from Afar said demonstrations were held in nine Zones including the regional capital Semera.
The residents took to the streets saying the people of Afar have not been beneficiaries of the rich natural resources in the region. Instead, they said, development of resources like salt and other minerals have been given to members of the TPLF, which they accused are also meddling in the affairs of Afari regional government.
Diaspora Afari activists who recently paid a visit to the region have said the people have continued to be subjected to repression by regional administrators.