Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) said a wave of demonstrations by students and others had broken out in a "popular uprising" that brought a severe crackdo

Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) said a wave of demonstrations by students and others had broken out in a "popular uprising" that brought a severe crackdown.

November 18, 2005
Ethiopia said on Friday that unrest in its restive regions was under control after allegations by rebel groups this week of a massacre in the east and an uprising in the south-west. The Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF), a group of ethnic Somalis fighting for the independence of their large eastern region, said government troops shot dead at least 30 prisoners and civilians in Qabri-daharre town on Tuesday. And the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF), fighting for independence in their south-western region, said a wave of demonstrations by students and others had broken out in a "popular uprising" that brought a severe crackdown. Responding to the ONLF report, Ethiopia's Ministry of Information said prisoners in Qabri-daharre had killed two wardens during an escape bid. Most were re-captured. It said the situation had been brought under control, but did not confirm or deny the ONLF report that 30 people had died when troops opened fire on prisoners then "indiscriminately" shot civilians in the town centre. Students demonstrations"It is important to make clear that the incident is simply one that can happen any time and at any place and it has nothing to do with either the prevailing current situation or any issue of security in general," the ministry statement said. On the OLF reports, the ministry said the rebels were attempting to stir unrest but had been prevented. "Although the attempts of the OLF are nipped in the bud by the concerted efforts of the people and security forces, the OLF is engaged in disseminating baseless allegations in its usual way, as if there is instability in the Oromia regional state. "There is no nationwide protest as alleged by the rebel group. The reality is that the country is peaceful." Academics at universities in the Oromia region told Reuters that students had been demonstrating, but without violence. International concern"The demonstration by some 70 or so Oromo students was peaceful and after they were approached by university officials they dispersed and went back to their classes," Belayneh Legesse, vice president for administration of the Alemaya University, said by telephone. The OLF, however, said in its statement that "brutal special forces" had been intimidating university students, arresting and injuring some protesters, and closing some schools. "The Oromo people are engaged in a nationwide protest against the Ethiopian repressive government," it said. The reports of unrest in provinces where rebels operate will add to international concern over Ethiopia's post-election violence, mainly in Addis Ababa, that has killed nearly 80 people in two bouts of street clashes in June and November. Once feted by the West as a model of good governance, Prime Minister Meles Zenawi's democratic and rights credentials have come under question during a turbulent year for Ethiopia. He won another five-year term in May, but has been plagued by opposition fraud allegations since then.

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