127 7.5.2 Ethnic conflict involving Sidama
Please see also section 2.4 for further information regarding violence in connection with the Sidama referendum.
In June 2018, “several men from the Wolayta ethnic group were burned alive by members of the rival Sidama ethnic group” in Hawassa (Reuters, 24 August 2018). According to officials, 15 people were killed in several days of violence in Hawassa and Wolayta in SNNPR in June 2018 (USDOS, 13 March 2019, section 6). According to the ICG dozens of people died in June 2018 in Hawassa during a cultural festival and campaigning for the Sidama regional state. Leaders of the Sidama and Wolayta, “who have long competed for regional leadership, blamed each other for the violence” (ICG, 4 July 2019, p. 6). Regarding protests against the Hawassa violence in June 2018, African Arguments reports:
“On 15 June, violence then erupted in Sodo. Wolaita activists wished to demonstrate against the violence in Hawassa and what they saw as the authorities’ inadequate response. When they were denied official permission, they attacked local administrators’
vehicles and set fire to Oromia Bank, private business, and the local Justice Office building.
Some youth reportedly attempted to raid the central prison to free detainees. Diaspora media reported five deaths. On that same day, activists in Arba Minch also requested permission for a demonstration, which was delayed to 23 June. The demonstrators additionally demanded the resignation of Zonal officials, the release of political prisoners, and an end to alleged land appropriation by state officials.” (African Arguments, 19 June 2018)
In October 2019 The Africa Report cites an ethnic Wolayta and resident of Hawassa regarding events in June 2018:
“Our country is sliding down, says Admasu, a resident of Hawassa and ethnic Wolayta, whose home was destroyed by a Sidama gang when violence broke out in June 2018. He plans to leave the city after the referendum: ‘There is no rule of law, no peace and security.
Everything is stuck.’” (The Africa Report, 11 October 2019)
The Reporter Ethiopia mentions in September 2018 that the recent conflict in the town of Hawassa and its surroundings “had resulted in the death of ten people and the injury of more than 80, while close to 3,500 people have been reported to be displaced from their homes”
(The Reporter Ethiopia, 1 September 2018). Ethiopia Observer describes the June 2018 events in Hawassa:
“There have been three days of unrest in Hawassa in southern Ethiopia with at least one fatality and many injured after Sidama protesters’ demand for their own regional state was accompanied by violence. Police and soldiers are trying to control the situation after hotels and businesses were attacked, a resident said. ‘We have been hearing gun shots the entire afternoon,’ they said in the evening of June 14. At least one person died in unknown circumstances on June 13. Adare Hospital is ‘crowded’ and there are more than 50 seriously injured people at Hawassa Referral Hospital, the witness, who did not want to be named, said. ‘Those who are orchestrating the chaos are from the native people of Sidama and they are claiming the land belongs to them only and any other clan should be kicked
out. Houses are raided since yesterday. They are breaking into homes and stealing property and beating people,’ they said. Hawassa is the capital city of the multiethnic Southern Nations, Nationalities and People’s Regional State (SNNPRS) as well as the administrative centre of Sidama Zone. The Sidama people have a longstanding claim to have their own state in Ethiopia’s federation. Around 100 people may have been killed by security forces in 2002 when similar demands were made. 10 people died in the violence, 89 were injured and 2,500 displaced, including many Wolayta, Fana Broadcasting Corporation said on June 16. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed plans to visit Hawassa next week. Recent violence occurred in the aftermath of the cultural Chamabalala festival and has included attacks on Wolayta people, who are from the same region, the witness said. Large hotels were invaded in the popular resort town and are now controlled by security forces. Another account said security forces shot people at a teacher training college today and six have died overall.”
(Ethiopia Observer, last update 17 June 2018)
In July 2019 UNOCHA reports on violence in Sidama zone:
“Initially characterized by clashes between Sidama youths and security forces in protest of the announcement by the National Electoral Board of a delayed timeframe for holding a referendum on the issue of Sidama Statehood; the violence gradually took on an intercommunal character when non-Sidama owned properties were reportedly targeted for attack. Since 21 July, the region was put under a federal security forces-led command to restore law and order.” (UNOCHA, 28 July 2019)
In September 2019 UNOCHA further reports on violence in Hawassa in July 2019:
“On 19 July, violence between EDF and ‘Ejjetto’ (Sidama youth) followed the region’s earlier-made announcements to unilaterally declare a regional state (in the absence of a federally organized referendum). Government buildings and Ethiopian Orthodox churches were set on fire, non-Sidama people were attacked, thousands were displaced to Oromia region (mostly ethnic Amharas, Gurages and Siltes), properties were looted, and roads blocks erected in the main roads.” (UNOCHA, 11 September 2019, p. 4)
Addis Standard in July 2019 also provides an overview on the events:
“Sidama activists on their part accuse security forces in various places in Sidama zone and Hawassa city of arresting dozens of activists, including several leaders of Ejjeetto, a Sidama youth group spreading the campaign for Sidama statehood, such as Belay Belguda, Fasika Legesse and Getahun Deguye. Addis Standard has confirmed the arrest of these activists late yesterday. Twedros did not mention the number of casualties whereas activists say as many as eleven were killed so far. Citing Hawassa hospital, DW Amharic reported at least one person was killed yesterday and three others were injured. According to two eye witnesses who spoke to Addis Standard by phone from Hawassa, although the city is calm today compared to yesterday, there are reports of ongoing ‘clashes, killings, property damages, and arrests’ coming from several areas of Sidama zone such as Aleta Wendo, Hagere Selam, Yirgalem and Malga. Addis Standard’s attempts to confirm the reports from the Sidama zone administration were to no avail.” (Addis Standard, 19 July 2019)
129 Another article by Addis Standard published three days later provides further details on incidents in Sidama zone:
“The number of civilians killed in Sidama zone in southern Ethiopia since July 18 has risen to ‘more than 35’, according to Yigezuh Adamu, a resident of Yirgalem who is currently in Hawassa city. ‘Hundreds of people are also displaced after their properties were vandalized,’ Yegezu said. ‘We are trying to coordinate a report on the amount of casualties and property damages so as to provide it to the regional state,’ Yigezuh said, referring to himself and his friends. Hagere Selam is one of the most affected towns. Another eye witness who is also currently in Hawassa city told Addis Standard. ‘On Friday and Saturday at least three churches were burned to the ground in Hagere Selam by angry mobs who went out to the streets to protest the killings by security forces.’ […]
The other towns severely affected are Melga and Yirgalem. In Melga, eleven people were killed on Thursday and Friday by security forces. In Yirgalem, some reports say that Aregash Lodge, a popular Eco-lodge known for its tranquil, was burned. However Addis Standard couldn’t verify that information; neither the city’s police, nor the lodge’s telephone lines are reachable.” (Addis Standard, 22 July 2019)
In August 2019 Reuters reports that “at least 17 people were killed in clashes between security forces and pro-autonomy activists” in July 2019 (Reuters, 29 August 2019), and in November 2019 TNH mentions that “at least 60 people died in clashes with security forces” to push the statehood demand until a referendum date was agreed. The TNH article further cites a non-Sidama resident regarding the situation in Hawassa:
“’We feel like we are hostages in our own city,’ Elias, a non-Sidama Hawassa resident, told TNH. ‘We’re surrounded by Sidama.’ He said non-Sidama are wary of going to parts of the city with a majority Sidama population, explaining that some non-Sidama were burned and stoned to death by mobs when violence broke out in July and spread to other towns in the Sidama zone. ‘The killing style was beyond imagining,’ said Elias – a reference to its brutality.” (TNH, 7 November 2019)
In October 2019 Borkena publishes a statement by the Wolayta Committee for Human Rights (WCHR), also containing information on the situation in Hawassa:
“On October 10, 2019, WCHR expressed deep concern on the random re-imprisonment of Wolayta residents and anti-secession Sidama activists in Hawassa wereda. We also condemned nativism harassment of residents labeled as ‘foreign businessmen’ by youth in the name of ‘Ejeto’ which were financed and organized by the same Sidama zone officials who are supposed to be trusted to independently run this referendum. [...] On October 19, 2019, WCHR published a statement titled ‘Leave Hawassa, go back home!’ to re-express our concern with the growing xenophobia and targeted harassment of so-called ‘outsiders’
and ‘Neftegnas’ which has become synonymous with virtually all Ethiopians opposing nativism and xenophobia in the zone. In that statement, we also asked that “Sidama officials stop organizing a referendum inside the Wolayta zone wereda of ABELA” as soon as possible; which otherwise would lead to a deadly conflict between nativist Wolayta elites and Sidama nationalists. Lastly, we reminded the NEBE to guarantee that displaced
residents (who became refugees out of Sidama zone due to various ethnic violence incidents in recent years, particularly after the June-August 2018 Wolayta Massacre) be given an opportunity to either return home first OR at least be allowed to vote (wherever they are, as long as they display credible identification /proof of prior residence) in the upcoming referendum, according to the Ethiopian Constitution and according to the NEBE’s own recent declaration that ‘all legal residents’ can participate in the referendum.”
(Borkena, 6 November 2019)