Oromo Protests death toll reaches 40, ethnic clashes reported

The death toll in Ethiopia’s ongoing protests in Oromia region climbed to at least 40, opposition group says. Chairman of the opposition Oromo Federalist Congress, Merera Gudina, said forty people have been killed and thousands arrested in protests against a government plan to incorporate farmland outside the capital into a new zone to attract business. Ethiopian government spokesperson gave a lower number of fatalities. Getachew Reda told Reuters on Monday that regional officials had so far named five dead but that this could rise as “armed gangs are terrorising civilians, killing government officials, unarmed security officers and farmers”.
The protests of high school and university students were in response to the government’s “master plan” that will integrate the capital and surrounding areas now belonging to the Oromo Region, which protestors say will displace farmers.
“The masterplan is just an excuse. Wider questions about the democratic and economic rights of the Oromos are being raised. The government should respond to the student’s questions,” Dr. Merera said.
Muktar Kedir, the administrator of Oromia Regional State, said last week that the development plan will not be implemented before public discussions and agreement. He said “the violence had occurred due to limitation to clarify the master plan and this has created uncertainty among the community as well as led the public to raise question.”
Reports has it that in some towns the protests have spiraled into fatal clashes between ethnic groups. Bloomebrg news agency quotes Betsate Terefe, executive director of the Ethiopian Human Rights Council as saying that conflict between Oromo and Amhara people flared in Ameya Woreda of Oromia state on Dec. 12. “Real ethnic conflict broke out and is under way,” Betsate was quoted as saying. “Many houses burned, people killed and wounded.”