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The Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (ECHR) called for full control of federal security forces in the Metekel area of the Benishangul-Gumuz region because the security situation is beyond the region’s ability to control.
Talking to The reporter, Commissioner Daniel Bekele (PhD) said that the peace and security situation in the area is very worrying. Recalling that there are people who are under threat of attack in addition to the recently attacked civilians, Daniel said that forces that would take swift action are imperative in the region. For this, he added, federal intervention must be imminent, since the situation has already exceeded the capacity of the region.
On December 23, 2020 in the Kuji Kebele area of Metekel in the Benishangul-Gumuz region, civilians were attacked by armed insurgents who burned houses, killing hundreds and destroying crops. As a result, many have been displaced from their residence, the commissioner said.
Daniel also calls for rapid humanitarian and medical assistance to the region. But his commission was unable to go to the exact location of the attacks to investigate due to the volatile security situation in the area. The fact that the place of the recent attack is 90 kilometers from the city of Woreda delays the information about the atrocities committed, much less the delivery of humanitarian assistance in time. This contributed to the complication of the matter, he added.
The commissioner said they are following the situation in the area through their investigation team that covers places up to Chagni and they are discussing with all the relevant government bodies what should be done.
Reiterating that it is important to prevent such damage in advance and minimize the level of atrocities after they have occurred, he stated that his commission is working to fulfill its mandates, such as ensuring support for victims and ensuring that perpetrators are brought to justice. Justice.
In addition to the attacks in the Benshangul-Gumuz region, in a statement issued by the Commission on December 25, 2020, it expressed concern about the recurring conflicts and humanitarian crisis in the Konso Zone of the South region. The statement detailed the level of horrific killings, injuries, displacement and destruction of property. In this conflict, 66 people die and 131,142 people were displaced. He also stated that the security situation in that area has been deteriorating due to the lack of a sustainable solution. Therefore, in addition to providing the displaced people with the necessary humanitarian assistance, the commission called on the federal and regional governments to seek durable solutions through the participation of the local population.
