Ethiopia’s Oromia police say arrest OLF rebels

Mar 15, 2006 (ADDIS ABABA) — The Oromiya police said it has arrested a number of rebels of Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) along with their 1,124 arms and 42 hand grenades.

In a press statement to the official ENA, the police accused the OLF rebels and unidentified opposition forces qualified by “anti-peace forces” of instigating violence in “various towns of the state”

The statement said a teacher by the name Goshu Feyisa was shot and killed by OLF in Mida Kegni woreda district of western Shewa zone in central Ethiopia on 28 February 2006.

Similarly, a militia, by the name Mamuye Fekadu who lived in the Cheliya woreda in the same zone was killed in ambush by the OLF elements on 12 March 2006, the police said.

The rebels also shot and killed in Ginchi town of Dendi woreda chief sergeant Amdisa Bogale, a member of police, on 10 March 2006, the statement said.

The statement said though these anti-peace forces killed security forces in Guduru woreda in eastern Welega zone in western Ethiopia, they were put under control with their arms through collective efforts of security forces and the public.

Similarly, seven OLF members who were clandestinely operating in Degem woreda of north Shewa zone were caught red-handed with their hand grenades through tips off from the public, the police said.

OLF rebels have fought for independence of the southern Oromo region since 1993, alleging government discrimination against the Oromo, the largest ethnic group.

(ST)