Death toll from the violence in Benshangul region rose to well over 60 based on Voice of America Amharic service report today. The killings happened over the past five days.
The security crisis in Kamashi Zone of Benshangul region, western Ethiopia, started last week ago after “unidentified” gunmen allegedly hoisting Oromo National Liberation Front (OLF) killed four security authorities of the zone as they were returning from consultative meeting with Oromo region security authorities in Wollega.
VOA Amharic cited Takele Tolosa, head of security administration in Easter Wollega region of Ethiopia which is adjacent to Benshangul region, as saying that over 72,000 people are displaced from Bebeloye Jiganfoy district of Kamashi zone due to the violence.
BBC Amharic report published today seems to confirm that there was violence in the district mentioned above. The report added that 75 houses are burned down in Bebeloye Jiganfoy district.
Abera Bayta is deputy head of Benshangul regional state. While confirming that residents are displaced from Bebeloye Jiganfoy, he says that the number of people displaced due to the violence in the region is “exaggerated,” as reported by VOA Amharic. However, he confirmed that 31 people are killed in the region, seemingly over the course of the past five days.
We will keep you updated with the latest developments and updates from the region.
Halgan Media.
