Sidama
Community United Kingdom, May 29, 2013 London
The objectives of the demonstration was in protest of the government’s
decision to remove the administrative right of their capital (Hawassa)- from
Sidama to the federal government in addition to the issues related with
regional self administration quest, the Sidama nation is constitutionally
guaranteed, yet denied. Whilst the Sidamas were peacefully demonstrating, suddenly,
they were met with several armoured vehicles with machine guns and others
hundreds of army personnel all of whom live shot into the upcoming crowds without
warning-instantly killing over hundred Sidama civilians and wounding about 250-300.
With Sidama civilian demonstrators about three Sidama police officers
were also summarily executed by the army for demanding them and police officers
to stop the killing of Sidama’s peaceful and unarmed civilians. For being humane
and genuine the said Sidama police officers also paid ultimate sacrifices for
the causes of justices with others Sidama civilians. The dead bodies of
hundreds of Sidama civilians were left on the street for the entire day whereas
others seriously wounded unfortunately died in the middle of highly grown up
corn plantation; most of whose dead bodies eventually devoured by hyenas. Others
several seriously wounded civilians were also left to loss their blood and die in
an agonising pain as health professionals weren’t allowed to help them until
after 6 hours, after the shootings. After 6 hours of the shootings, the dead
bodies of the Sidama people were dragged and some of them thrown to the pickup
cars and an ISUZU lorry to be eventually dumped in Hawassa health centre. The
families of the dead Sidama civilians weren’t allowed to collect the bodies of
their beloved ones up until 3rd or 4th days.
Strict curfew was imposed throughout Sidama region for weeks and the
Sidama was fully militarised from corner to corner. Those culprits who have
ordered, stage-managed and monitored the massacre of the Sidama civilians are
widely circulating in Sidamaland to date until now, and most of them are promoted
to higher authority statuses.
As we commemorate the 11th
anniversary of such tragic acts of the regime sponsored terrorism against law
abiding Sidama civilians with our brothers and sisters [the sons and daughters
of others subjugated nations of Ethiopia], our thought goes to the families and
relatives of Sidama victims of Loqqe massacre of May 24, 2002. We also salute their courage, determination
and indefatigable decisions whilst they took to the streets of Sidamaland
demanding their fundamental rights defying the mightiness of the regime’s live
ammunitions to pay ultimate sacrifices. We also believe that this is the kind
of crime taking places in Oromia, Ogadenia, Gambella, Shakicho Kaficho and
others regions of subjugated nations with varying degrees. We salute the
strengths of all civilians whose ultimate contributions in the end will make
the dreams of their respective nation’s reality.
We’re commemorating Sidama victims of atrocity of May 24, 2002, in
conjunction with psychological thought of those all Ethiopians who have lost
their precious lives for simple reasons of seeking justice, liberty, human
dignity and respect for fundamental rights; the essential elements all are
denied by the successive Ethiopian regimes including the incumbent one.
As we all gathered here in London on May 25, 2013, in a free land
where the rule of law is part and parcel of the whole society, our hearts and
minds travel thousands of miles, dissecting clouds and ocean alike to share the
sufferings of those who are unfortunately left back in Ethiopia, under the rule
of jungle where democracy and democratic values remain meaningless.
Therefore,
The Sidama nation wholeheartedly reaffirms its oaths on its
determination until it asserts the rights of Sidama nation for which cause its
fallen Sidama heroes paid ultimate sacrifices!
The Sidamas in Sidamaland and in Diaspora remember this Day, as the
day of Sidama Martyrs and salute them all for their precious sacrifices of
life. We all Sidamas, young and old, female and male alike never forget the
ultimate sacrifices those heroes paid on behalf of our nation.
We the Sidamas wholeheartedly thank the representatives of Oromia,
Ogadenia, Shakacho Kaficho and others subjugated nations’ brothers and sisters
for showing us their usual solidarity by taking part in whatever we do on
behalf of our systematically subjugated and deliberately brutalised nation.
Finally, we demand the support of the international community and
strongly suggest to hold the Ethiopian current regime into account for its
inhuman treatment of civilians and bring those who’re responsible for Loqqee
massacre of Sidama civilians and others similar massacres and genocides
committed by this very regime all over the country. We also demand the current
Ethiopian regime to stop the acts of barbarism towards civilians,
intelligentsia, journalists, opposition members and the wider societies at
large.
May the Souls of Sidama Victims of atrocity and others Ethiopian
nation’s peoples who have paid similar sacrifices Rest in Peace!!
Sidama
Community UK, May 25, 2013, London
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