News: Prime Minister Abiy Meets With Metekel Residents To Discuss Security; The meeting comes a day after the door-to-door ‘hunt’ was launched to control the “criminal groups” behind the attacks on civilians.

By Siyanne Mekonnen @Siyaanne

Addis Ababa, December 22, 2020 – Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed is holding talks with residents of the Metekel Zone in the regional state of Benishagul Gumuz. According to state affiliate FanaBC, the discussion focused on finding lasting ways to resolve the security crisis in the area.

Among those in attendance are Peace Minister Muffriat Kamil, Army Chief of Staff General Berhanu Jula, Benishagul Gumuz Region President Ashadli Hassan, and other federal and regional officials.

Prime Minister Abiy’s meeting came a day after the command post in Benishangul Gumuz regional state, Metekel area, announced that it had devised a “special strategy” to control the destruction caused by “criminal groups” and launched a “door to door”. Hunt ”to control the group operating in the Metekel Zone of the regional state where sustained attacks on civilians left several dozen innocent people, including women and children, killed.

The news of the door-to-door hunt was announced yesterday at a community forum held yesterday in the city of Asossa, capital of the regional state, during which regional security issues were also widely discussed, ENA reported.

Zebid Budna, an official from the Kamashi area who participated in the forum, blamed “OLF / Shanne,” a government reference to members of the rebel group Oromo Liberation Army (OLA), as a threat to the region, saying that “ a police operation similar to the one in Tigray ”must be repeated in the Benishagul Gumuz region.

Mohamed Kemal, another participant, recalled the violence that erupted in the region’s capital city, Asossa, in 2018 and said it was under control due to the community’s dedication to peace and stability. He acknowledged the actions taken against the repeated conflicts in the region and hinted at a possible involvement of government officials in the attacks.

Abdulwahid Hamad, Asossa area, the Kumruk Wereda leadership, meanwhile, urged the community in various Weredas to work together to support the regional government.

The community forum, which was also attended by Mussa Hamid, deputy director of the Benishangul Gumuz peace and security office, was part of a national consultative forum. Mussa Hamid blamed the origin of the violence in the Metekel area on those who were “against the reform agenda at the national level.”

The advisory forum will continue today. AS

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