Over 20 Ethiopian soldiers killed in student riots in south – Eritrean radio

ASMARA, March 14, 2004 (Sudan Tribune) — The protests by ethnic Oromo students against the Ethiopian regime continued yesterday, 13 March, in a more intensified manner, the official Eritrean radio reported today.

According to the source, more than 20 Ethiopian soldiers were killed and scores others injured in protest riots by ethnic Oromo students in Alemaya, Minare, Fiche, Nekemte, Jima, Ambo, Weliso, Debre Zeyit, Asebe Teferi, Shambu, Baku and other areas.

The information indicated that 20 Ethiopian soldiers were killed in Minare in retaliatory attacks by irate residents who used knives, stones and sticks following the killing of three students and 10 peasants by the weyane soldiers.

Panicked by the incidents, the Ethiopian commanders are said to have informed their bosses that they could not control the public uprising.

Similarly, the information said, 20 ethnic Tigrayan students were stabbed in Alemaya following the shooting of two ethnic Oromo students by Ethiopian soldiers who took side with the Tigrayan students.