Earth Science News  
AFRICA NEWS
Ethiopia's PM Abiy denies negligence following massacres
by AFP Staff Writers
Addis Ababa (AFP) July 7, 2022

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed on Thursday defended his government and the country's armed forces against accusations of negligence following a series of grisly massacres recently in a restive region.

Hundreds of people -- mostly ethnic Amhara-- were killed in recent weeks in two separate attacks in western Oromia, the country's most populous region, and one roiled by ethnic violence in recent years.

Questioned by lawmakers about the recent bloodshed, Abiy praised Ethiopia's security forces and said the government was working around the clock to protect civilians.

"The killings that have happened in Ethiopia should not be considered - as some are describing -- to be due to negligence, that it is because the government didn't do its job, or that government does not uphold its responsibility," he said.

"This government is trying to protect its citizens 24 hours a day."

The lawmakers were dwelling on the lives lost instead of those saved, he said, calling on parliament to recognise the honour and bravery of the country's troops.

"It should be understood that our armed forces are sacrificing their lives daily," Abiy said.

The government has blamed the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA) for the massacres on June 18 and July 4 of mostly ethnic Amhara in Qellem Wollega and West Wollega, claims the rebel group has denied.

No official death toll has been established.

On June 30, a spokeswoman for Abiy said 338 victims of the initial massacre had already been identified.

The African Union Commission called for an investigation into the killings and urged the government of Ethiopia to ensure the protection of all civilians by preventing such atrocities in future.

Abiy told lawmakers the OLA could be "eradicated" by stepping up military efforts to degrade the militants active in Oromia since 2018.

The group is classified as a terrorist organisation by Ethiopian authorities.

On Wednesday, Ethiopian lawmakers announced a committee to investigate "inhumane" acts against civilians, mentioning Oromia but making no direct reference to the reported massacres in recent weeks.

Inter-ethnic violence has been on the rise in recent months in Oromia, but the situation has until now largely been overshadowed by the conflict between federal forces and the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) that erupted in November 2020.


Related Links
Africa News - Resources, Health, Food


Thanks for being here;
We need your help. The SpaceDaily news network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain.

With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords.

Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year.

If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.
SpaceDaily Contributor
$5 Billed Once


credit card or paypal
SpaceDaily Monthly Supporter
$5 Billed Monthly


paypal only


AFRICA NEWS
Suspected jihadists raid Nigeria prison, free hundreds
Abuja (AFP) July 6, 2022
Suspected Boko Haram jihadists using guns and explosives have blasted their way into a prison near Nigeria's capital, freeing hundreds of inmates in an operation to release jailed comrades, the government said Wednesday. Tuesday night's brazen attack on the outskirts of Abuja came hours after an ambush on a presidential security convoy in the northwest, in a fresh illustration of the struggle Nigeria faces to overcome a security crisis. Residents reported loud explosions and gunfire late Tuesday ... read more

Comment using your Disqus, Facebook, Google or Twitter login.



Share this article via these popular social media networks
del.icio.usdel.icio.us DiggDigg RedditReddit GoogleGoogle

AFRICA NEWS
Billions of people rely on wild species for food, fuel, income: UN

Russia occupies 22% of Ukraine farmland: NASA

Pakistan's prized mango harvest hit by water scarcity

AIR and Nigerian Space Agency sign MOU to collaborate on agriculture monitoring

AFRICA NEWS
Austria and Hungary fight nature to stop lake vanishing

Pacific leaders struggle to keep focus on climate at key summit

'Desperate for water': drought hits Mexican industrial powerhouse

Wellington wastewater a security headache for China

AFRICA NEWS
Scientists link the changing Azores High and the drying Iberian region to anthropogenic climate change

Western US drought brings Great Salt Lake to lowest level on record

Knowing the Earth's energy imbalance is critical in preventing global warming, study finds

Several Iran provinces shutter public buildings over sandstorm pollution

AFRICA NEWS
Using the power of the sun to roast green chile

New photocatalytic membrane that can be cleaned using light energy

Seeing photovoltaic devices in a new light

The structure-performance of bulk-heterojunction organic solar cells

AFRICA NEWS
Study points to Armenian origins of ancient crop with aviation biofuel potential

Solar-powered chemistry uses CO2 and H2O to make feedstock for fuels, chemicals

Technologies boost potential for carbon dioxide conversion to useful products

An unusual triangular molecule that makes jet fuel

AFRICA NEWS
Biden says guns turning US neighborhoods into 'killing fields'

Child among nine killed in Pakistan mine flood

Belgium army steps in as asylum system overwhelmed

Rescuers gather body parts after Italy glacier collapse

AFRICA NEWS
Researchers create tool to evaluate water use for responsibly sourced gas operations

Kurdish Iraq decries 'unjust pressure' from Baghdad in oil row

Why natural gas is not a bridge technology

Natural gas is key to WVU engineer's vision for clean hydrogen energy

AFRICA NEWS
Australia reports no progress on China trade sanctions

Asian stocks up as recession fears ease, yen rises after Abe shooting

Stocks fall, euro nears dollar parity as recession fears build

China banks to repay some customers after mass protests









The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.