Prime Minster Dr Abiy Ahmed visited on June 28, 2018 Samara, the capital of Afar Regional State. The entire region was expecting to be visited by Dr Abiy Ahmed to cherish him for his courage and support the ongoing reform throughout Ethiopia. More importantly the Afar youth were well organised to welcome the premier. However their hope and aspirations were met with police brutality. The police arrested 125 youngsters and injured 61 some them in the age of 15. This sad event was well planned and orchestrated by anti-reform elements of the regional leadership among Afar National Democratic Party (ANDP) with intention to reverse the reform process by the government of Dr Abiy Ahmed. The Afar Youth Xukko Cina (Dukko Hina) has started their protest against bad governance, rampant corruption and social injustice and exclusion from decision making in the region.

The Afar youth has been protesting in different parts of the region for the past four months. They also organised a rally to support the ongoing reform process by Dr Abiy Ahmed in Samara as well as participated in the support rally of Addis Ababa June 23, 2018.

Afar People’s Party (APP) is dismayed by the brutal actions taken by police forces. Therefore we condemn this brutal attacks on civilians in the strongest possible terms. The protest in Afar Region will continue to support and safeguard the reform process in Ethiopia and in Afar Region.

  • We call up on the Prime Minster Dr Abiy Ahmed to establish an enquiry commission to investigate the Human Rights abuse in the region and free all prisoner including Rashid Salih.
  • We call up on Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC) to investigate the atrocities committed and hold the perpetrators accountable.
  • We call up on Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC) to investigate the atrocities committed and hold the perpetrators accountable.
  • We call on Amnesty International to investigate the situation of those who are in prison or injured.
  • We call up on Human Rights Watch to send there envoy to Afar region.

Afar People Party press release.