The Massacre of May, 2008
Between May 16 and 31, 2008, 400 Oromo infant, children, women and men were slaughtered by Gumuz Citizens of the Region of Beneshangul. For centuries, Gumuz and Oromo people had lived together in peace. All Oromos believe that Gumuz people were motivated and moved by non- Gumuz people. Some force outside of these two people must have played this heinous role to cause conflict between otherwise peaceful peoples.
In about two weeks, innocent people were mowed down. Pregnant women were slaughtered and their bodies strewn around. Arms and breasts were severed. Men were murdered and their heads were beheaded. There bodies were strewn in the jungle. Women and little girls were repeatedly raped. Hyenas ate dead bodies.
Ten thousand people were uprooted and left without any shelter. When relatives in highland areas heard that there was trouble in the low lands, they rushed down, and on the way, Gumuz men shot at them and many died.
EPRDF disarmed high Landers when they took over the country in 1991, 1992, but, they did not go to the low lands to disarm lowlanders because they were too wild and too dangerous. So, the Gumuz people have always had their guns. However, the Oromos had no guns. Accordingly, in this conflict, no Gumuz was shot at. Some 5 days passed before any body in the high land knew what was happening in the valleys of Hangar and Didesa. Even after OPDO (Oromo people's Democratic Organization) knew about the massacre, the rampage continued in to the third week of May, 2008. Even to day the Government has not informed the public of any action it has taken, except that the Federal Affairs Minster informed the parliament, on June 12, 2008 that 170 persons had been arrested, some of them being suspects as leaders in the Massacre.
The Local Government ordered every body not to talk about the Massacre. Our frantic telephone calls to Sasiga (Wereda of Hangar) produced no information as people were scarred to talk. We had to wait for people to call us. As a result, there was news black out for several weeks. Therefore, to this day, it has become impossible to go to Hangar and Didesa valleys to gather information. Individuals sent by OFDM to Sasiga were prevented from going to the Hangar or Didesa farms (there are large scale farms in the Hangar and Didesa Valleys formerly owned by the Government and now by private individuals.)
We appeal to the international community not to forget the death of 400 Oromos who were gruesomely slaughtered between May, 16 and 31, 2008. We demand of the Ethiopian Government to resettle the displaced Oromo people in there former communities without delay. In the name of Oromo people, we demand of the Ethiopian government compensation for families who have lost the bread winner. In this connection, we also appeal to all those who can help to provide any kind of help to these unfortunate Oromo people. It is also human that the families of the deceased be given start up funds so they could start their lives again.
The Oromo people are being attacked now more frequently. We think that the Government is at least an accomplice. We appeal to the Ethiopian Parliament to establish a commission and investigate the causes of Ethnic conflict in general. We appeal to the parliament to establish a commission and investigate the causes of ethnic conflicts in Ethiopia in general and the Massacre of the Oromo People in May, 2008.
Thank you
OROMO FEDERALST DEMOCRATIC MOVEMENT
ADDIS ABABA