A One Month Summary of Oromian Youth Movement (Qeerroo)

July 22 - August 22/2012
Translated and Complied in English by: Daandii Qajeelaa

The Oromian Youth Movement (Qeerroo) which was formed a little over a year ago is intensifying the struggle of the Oromo people for freedom, democracy and justice in a scale never seen before. Sadly, the accomplishments of this youth group remained unnoticed by the national and international media. To this effect, I have tried to bring to light the reports of this young generation by translating their efforts to English, summarizing, and compiling over a long period of time, such as a year or just one month, for example February 9 through March 9, 2012 of this year.

This report covers another widely intensified movement of Qeerro over the month prior to the death of the Ethiopian dictator Meles Zenawi: July 22 through August 22, 2012. The report is directly taken from the archives of Qeerroo website.

August 20, 2012, Ayira Gulliso, West Wollega: TPLF Forces Killed Gamule 
Tasgara, and arrested several others.
In west Wollegga zone, several protesting Oromo youth were rounded up and arrested on August 20, 2012 and many of them were beaten severely in prison. Among those who suffered an unbearable torture, a young man named Gamule Tasgara lost his life in prison.

Among Oromo youth who still remain in prison are:
1. Yadeta Teferi
2. Sena Teferi (a 12 year old student)
3. Lijalem Hambisa
4. Gaddisa Beka
5. Marga Qajela
6. Mariyam Dhaba (Female)

August 18, 2012, Limmu Galila, East Wollega: Two Woyane Investors Killed by 
OLA Special Force Unit
In East Wollega zone, Limmu Galila County [Woreda], two Woyane investors who expelled more than 300 Oromo farmers from their ancestral land without due process and without any compensation and built their own farm were killed by a Special Force Unit of the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA) on August 18, 2012. It is to be recalled that the OLA Special Force Unit has been taking punitive action on Woyane investors, and, consequently, many investors are leaving their farm business and leaving the area.


August 16, 2012, Gidda Guttin, East Wollegga: Two Woyane Agents Killed
Two Woyane agents who were sent to Gidda Guttin from Finfinne (names unknown) to retaliate the death of a Tegegn Gebre-Meskel, a manager of a known TPLF investor, who was killed in the area on August 14, and started harassing the local population were killed by a Special Force Unit of the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA) on August 16, 2012 at a special place called “mandara 11” (village 11).
August 14, 2012, Digga Sasigga, East Wollegga: A Manager of a Well Known 
TPLF Investor Killed
A Special Force Unit of the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA) has attacked a car of a wellknown TPLF investor Aksidom Gebre-Michael on August 14, 2012 in East Wollegga zone, Digga Sasigga County [Woreda], at a river called Ukke, 44 km from Nekemte town. The manager of the investor driving the car, named Tegegn Gebre-Meskel, who is a known TPLF agent and responsible for several arrest and death of many Oromo nationals was killed instantly during the attack.

August 13, 2012, Dire Dhawa, Hararge: 5 Oromos arrested
Oromos are unable to move from one place to another because when they move to a place outside of their birth place they will be arrested as they are suspected of coming to the new location sent by the Oromo Liberation Front OLF. This was what happened to the following three Oromos who were arrested in Dire Dhawa town while they were working citizens who went to harage from other places to change their lives. These Oromos are:

1. Ephrem Wakayyo (youth, moved to Dire Dhawa from East Wollegga zone)
2. Teshale Fekadu (youth, moved to Dire Dhawa from East Wollegga zone)
3. Turi Badhasa (youth, moved to Dire Dhawa from Ambo, West Shoa zone)

In the same fashion, two other Oromos:

1. Neguse Tesemma
2. Marga Jalal were arrested in Ayira Gulliso town of Western Wollegga zone, accused of organizing OLF in the area.It is a well-known fact that Tigreans freely move in Oromia and do whatever business they want with full support and assistance from the government.

August 12, 2012, Mettu, Ilu Aba-Bora: 12 Oromos Arrested
At least 12 Oromo nationals are known to have been arrested in Ilu Aba-Bora zone, Mettu town accused of organizing popular protest against the regime. Among the 12 individuals the names 3 individuals known so far are

1. Addisu Tadese (Business man)
2. Getinnet Suleman (Business man)
3. Fedhasa Suleman


August 11, 2012 Begi, West Wollegga: 10 Militia Members Wounded After Clash 
with People
On August 11, 2012, Woyane local militias of Begi, West Wollegga zone clashed with the local Oromo population at a place called Gaba Dafino, when the local people asked the militias to release innocent Oromos illegally apprehended for allegedly organizing OLF cells. The conflict broke out when the militias try to intimidate the people by bringing their guns and the people defended themselves and attacked them by everything on their hand wounding 10 of them and chasing them away from the village. While this happened in the morning around 11:00 AM, the government contingent forces were sent to the area in the evening and reportedly arrested several people.

August 10, 2012, Haro Limmu, East Wollegga: A Special Force Unit of OLA 
Attacked Enemy troops, Killed 2 and Wounded 3
On August 10, 2012 opened fire on unarmed civilians in Haro Limmu County at a place called Darba in which the local people tried to defend themselves. When the news of the conflict reached a Special Force Unit of OLA operating in the area, the OLA Special Force attacked the Woyane troops deployed at Darba in which 2 were killed and 3 others were seriously wounded. Those wounded are
1) Damtew Siyum,
2) Wolde-Berhan Asafa, and the name the third is unknown.
Those killed are:
1. Tilahun Ayalew
2. Molla Berihun (a spy who shows the way and provides logistics to the troops).
Angered by the actions of the OLA Special Force, the remaining enemy troops opened fire on innocent Oromos wounding the following individuals.
1. Hundara Chali
2. Gemede Wondimu (wife of Hundara)
3. Hussen Mohammed (neighbor of Hundara)

August 4, 2012, Bushoftu, East Shoa: A Wealthy Woyane Investor Killed            
A Special Force Unit of OLA has killed a Wealthy Woyane investor Tekalign Gizaw HaileMariam who expelled Oromo farmers from their ancestors land in Bushoftu town of Eastern showa zone and destroyed his car. This individual reportedly built different factories by evicting Oromos from the Counties of Gimbichu and Lome and is said to own more than 100 vehicles.

August 5, 2012, Gidda Ayana, East Wollegga: A Special Force of OLA Attacked 
a vehicle of TPLF “Defense Force”
A vehicle transporting the TPLF troops and moving from place to place in an attempt to search for the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA) in Gidda Ayyana County was attacked by a Special Force Unit of the OLA on August 5, 2012 at a place called Qaqaro, some 100 km from the main town of East Wollegga, Nekemte, in which several troops were wounded. It is known that 3 of the troops who were severely wounded were taken to Nekemte Hospital.


August 5, 2012, Gidda Ayana, East Wollegga: A Special Force of OLA Killed two Spies
Two spies, Dereje Getahun and Ephrem, who were known for giving information on the movement of Oromo nationalists and who are responsible for the arrest and torture of several people were killed when they were moving on a vehicle of the governments health department around the town of Gidda Ayana, East Wollegga zone, on August 5, 2012.

August 5, 2012, Ayira Guliso, West Wollega: Government Forces Arrested More 
than 50 Oromo Nationals
The troops of TPLF government reportedly arrested more than 50 Oromo nationals for asking legitimate questions of their rights in West Wollegga zone, Ayira Gulliso County in villages called Homi and Kolobo. Some of the names of Oromos arrested and tortured are:

1. Gemechis Mulatu (youth)
2. Mitikku Marga (Head of a family)
3. Ephrem Ejjeta (youth)
4. Lijalem Yadeta (Head of a family)
5. Abarra Tarfasa (Head of a family)
6. Tammiru Tarressa (Head of a family)
7. Lalisa Marga (youth)
8. Tayye Tarfasa (Head of a family)
9. Habtamu Benti (youth)
10. Gemechu Benti (youth)

August 4, 2012, Habe Dongoro, East Wollegga: A Special Force Killed a 
Government Agent
Mean while, another Special Force Unit of OLA has attacked TPLF government troops deployed for the so called “search operation” in the same East Wollegga zone, Habe Dongoro County, at a place called Tullu Ghana on August 4, 2012 killing a person called Fikresellassie Berihun. Panicked by the heroic actions of OLA, the government blocked the movement of all vehicles to country side, telling the people that an OLF commando has entered the area.

August 4, 2012, Adaba, Bale: Memebers of OPDO Police Sided with the Qeerro 
Movement
A report received from Adaba, Bale zone indicates that Qeerroo movement intensified today in a coordinated fashion in the area taking different forms, singing revolutionary songs on a tape-recorder and mobile phones, writing and posting slogans, and so on. Many members of the government police who are members of the ruling Oromo Peoples Democratic Organization were seen excited as they were not happy the way the minority TPLF regime oppress the Oromo people. At least 4 of them are reported to have joined the Qeerroo movement.

August 3, 2012, Gidda Ayana, East Wollegga: A Special Force of OLA Wounded 
3 Members Government Police
The following members of the TPLF led government police force:

1. Kebede Ayana
2. Benti Waktola
3. Zerihun Ensermu who were terrorizing the local Oromo population were wounded by a Special Force Unit of the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA) in East Wollegga zone, Gidda Ayana County at a place called Gaba Jangir Dirre Gudda on August 3, 2012 and were taken to Nekemte Hospital.

August 3, 2012, Gedo, West Shoa: A Special Force of OLA Attacked a 
Government Intelligence Vehicle
On August 3, 2012, a vehicle of the TPLF government intelligence unit with no plate number was attacked by the OLA Special Force Unit as it was moving from the town of Gedo, West Shoa zone to the town of Fincaha, Horo Guduru zone in Jarso village at a place called Tele. While the body of the vehicle was heavily damaged in the attack, the members of the intelligence unit were able to escape without harm.

August 2, 2012: Nekemte, East Wollega: A TPLF Spy Killed
Ashenafi Berihun, a notorious TPLF government agent and spy, was killed by an unknown force in Arjo Guddattu County at a place called Balo Bareda, located on the border of East and West Wollega zones on August 2, 2012. It is to be recalled that, Mitiku Araya, another TPLF spy was killed in Nekemte town a week earlier, and it is known that Ashenafi Berihun was busy attempting to retaliate the death of Mitiku Araya, his colleague in crime.

July 28, 2012, Nekemte, East Wollega: 4 Police Officers Defected
Four members of the TPLF government police working in the police station located in kebele 07 of Nekemte town are reported to have defected and joined the Qeerroo movement on July 28, 2012. Chala Hunduma, Tesfaye Chali, and two others were forced to defect the regime because they were suspected of secretly arming the local farmers and other nationalists who are opposed to the regime.

July 31, 2012, Nekemte, East Wollega: A TPLF Spy Killed
Mitiku Araya, a senior intelligence officer of the TPLF-Ethiopian government, who was engaged in spying the Oromo nationalist and responsible for the arrest and harassment of several innocent civilians moving between the towns of Jimma, Arjo, Beddele, Arjo Guddatu, and Nekemte was killed by a Special Force of Oromo Liberation Army (OLA) in Nekemte town on July 30, 3012.

July 27, 2012, Nekemte, East Wollega: Police Forces Clashed, 5 Wounded
Five police officers were wounded when the local police of Digga Sasiga and the Federal Police Force opened fire on each other on July 27, 2012 in Digga Sasiga County at a small town known as Tsigge, located 12 km from Nekemte town. The clash occurred after a Special Force of the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA) attacked a federal police force which was headed towards the area at a bridge connecting Nekemte and Tsigge town. The Federal Police opened fire on the local police force when they went to the place in an attempt of responding to the exchange of fire. The two forces exchanged fire arms heavily resulting in the wounding of 5 officers from both sides: 2 from local police and 3 from federal police. The two local police officers severely wounded and taken to Nekemte Hospital are:

 1. Chla Fekadu
2. Amanuel Dessalegn
The names of the 3 wounded members of the Federal Police are unknown. Witnesses said they were heavily bleeding and were taken away from the area to unknown place.

July 27, Adaba, Bale: 3 TPLF-Government Agents Beaten by Students
The three Woyane agents who received punishment by the students and the people of Adaba, Bale on July 27, 2012 are:
1. Samu’el Dibaba – a member of Oromian Police Force
2. Getachew Tefera – a member of Adaba Militia Force
3. Chala Worku  - a member of Oromian Police Force
The incident occurred on July 27 at 3:00 PM local time when these government agents went to the local mosque in an attempt to control the current movement and peaceful protest of the Muslim community, and tried to make a “search of weapon”.

July 25, 2012, Mi’esso, East Hararge: 3 Policemen Beaten by the People
On July 25, 2012, residents of Mi’esso, Eastern Hararge zone, organized themselves and protested against the arrest of their children (students) who were previously detained by the usual accusation of supporting the OLF. In this protest a confrontation broke out between families of the students and the local people on one side and the government police on the other side. During this confrontation three members of the police, namely,
1. Abbichu Dagim
2. Wasihun Mengesha
3. Efrem Zewdu were beaten and punished by the organized people of Mi’esso. The local government of Mi’esso was forced to release that evening at 12:00 AM those detained students fearing that the protest of the people will exacerbate.

July 24, 2012, Haro Limmu, East Wollega: 5 Government Troops Killed by 
Special Force
On July 24, 2012, a Special Force Unit of the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA) attacked government troops who were on a mission of searching for OLA and harassing the population in Eastern Wollega zone, Haro Limmu County [Woreda] at a place called Darba in which 5 troops were killed instantly.  The attack occurred on the boarder of Gimbi and Haro Limmu when the troops tried to cross the Didhessa river and were unable to cross because the river filled up to its bank.


July 23, 2012, Bure, Ilu Ababor: 3 Cabinet Members Defected
A report received from Bure County, Ilu Ababor zone, reveals that 3 OPDO cabinet members have defected the regime and joined the popular revolution spearheaded by Qeerro on July 23, 2012. The names of these cabinet members are:
1. Tesso Urgessa, Vice administrator of Bure County
2. Bekele Tola, Member of Cabinet of Bure County
3. Fanta Simon, Head of Bure County OPDO Office
These cabinet members were forced to arrive at this decision because, despite the fact that they were loyally serving the regime, they were suspected for a long time of secretly supporting the popular movement of the area.

July 22, 2012, Dongoro County, East Wollega: Property of a Woyane right-hand  
Investor Burned to the Ground
On the evening of July 22, 2012, the property of an investor Goytom Gebresillasse  who is a Woyane agent himself was burned to the ground in Horo Guduru zone, Habe Dongoro County [Woreda] at a place called Tullu Ghana. The crops and his ISUZU car have been destroyed by an unknown force.

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