Ethiopia’s police arrest “several” opposition members in northwest

Nov 5, 2005 (ADDIS ABABA) — The Amhara State Police Commission said it has put the street violence erupted in Bahir Dar and other towns existing in Amhara State under control.

The Commission also said it has been putting several members of the Coalition for unity and Democracy (CUD) and offenders under custody who put hands in the violence that claimed human lives and damaged property.

In a press conference he gave for the State’s mass media agency, Amhara State Police Commissioner, Yosef Abere said various offender organized under groups were arrested in Dessie, Bahir Dar and Gondar towns.

Though they had been repeatedly told to refrain from joining CUD’s violent moves, Yosef said, the offenders incited violence that caused loss of human life and property damage as well as affected the stability of the public.

Appropriate measures would be taken against the anti peace forces, the Commissioner said.

Chief of the Amhara State, Ayalew Gobeze on his part said the state government fights those forces attempting to destruct the constitutional order through violence.

Ayalew said those engaged in promoting the objectives of the CUD through street violence would be brought to justice.

The Amhara State mass media agency said police has been arresting street violence instigators and calm has been restored in towns where riot and violence were surfaced on Friday.