Ethiopia: Police, Muslim protesters engage in deadly clash
By Tesfa-Alem Tekle
August 5, 2013 (ADDIS ABABA) – Hundreds of Muslim protesters during the weekend clashed with police in Ethiopia’s Oromya region ahead of the upcoming holiday of the end of Ramadan, or Eid al-Fitr.
The incident occurred in West Arusi Zone after regional police arrived at the scene to intervene the situation.
Regional Police on Monday told Sudan Tribune that the violence led to death and injuries following fire exchange with what it alleged were some armed protesters.
“Three were killed and seven policeman sustained injures after armed protesters open fire on security forces”, police said in an email exchange.
It added the situation is now under control and those responsible for the violence are taken to custody without elaborating on the number of arrested protesters.
Ethiopian Muslims in many parts of the country have been demonstrating at mosques to protest alleged government interference in religious affairs, an accusation the government denies.
Police however said the latest incident rather has a political agenda.
“These were armed group who clearly had hidden political agendas under the pretext of religion” it said, adding that the protester “have caused damage to government and public property”.
The government has also been accusing protesters as extremists inspired by foreign factors with a goal to turn the dominantly Christian nation into an Islamic state.
It is to be recalled that four people were killed and ten policemen were injured in clashes with security forces on April 27 in Arusi zone.
CALLS FOR ACTION
Following the incident, a Muslim committee on Sunday called upon the Ethiopian government to take actions against the groups who it said are creating havoc and disturbances during the one month-long Ramadan fasting.
Office of the Addis Ababa Interfaith Forum said the protesters don’t represent Ethiopian Muslims and their acts are contrary to teachings of Islam.
“We call on the Ethiopian government to take necessary legal measures against the extremists to ensure the safety of peaceful citizens” it said in a statement to the State run Ethiopia Radio and Television Agency (ERTA).
After thousands of Ethiopian Muslims on July 26 staged protest rallies in Addis Ababa’s two mosques and clashed with Federal police, the Ethiopian government issued warning to take action against “extremists”.
REPORTS OF DEADLY VIOLENCE
Mean while police has dismissed reports claiming that Ethiopian government forces have killed 25 protesters and injured dozens in demonstrations across the country.
Also, citing Ethiopian activists, CNN reported the arrest of over 1,500 protesters on Friday.
The police however downplayed the report as “unfounded”.
(ST)