Details about the deaths of Chuol Tongyik, a CRS security officer, and Amare Kindeya, a driver, remain unknown.
Newsroom (29/04/2023 8:41 AM, Gaudium Press) Two members of the humanitarian organization, Catholic Relief Services (CRS), were shot dead in Ethiopia this month.
The statement about the death of the two CRS members was made by the communications director of the NGO, Kim Pozniak. She said it happened in the Amara region of Kobo town.
Details about the deaths of Chuol Tongyik, a CRS security officer, and Amare Kindeya, a driver, remain unknown.
It is known however that the two were coming from the capital, Addis Ababa towards Amara when they were hit by heavy artillery.
However, it is difficult to establish the current situation in Amara as the press is banned from entering. The US-based Catholic Organization has been active in Ethiopia for over 60 years.
Zemede Zewdie, CRS representative in Ethiopia, said in a statement, “We are deeply shocked and saddened by this senseless violence.”
The Amara region is experiencing violent demonstrations following the government’s decision to abolish the Special Forces Unit in the region.
The Ethiopian government is preparing a demilitarization process and has decided to start by suppressing the “Special Forces” that contributed in the conflict against the Tigris.
The population unhappy with such a decision, decided to take back the streets since last Thursday, April 6, in violent demonstrations against the government.
The war between Ethiopia and the Tigris ended in November 2022 with the signing of an agreement. However, Ethiopia remains divided and is still facing local conflicts between the different peoples that make up Ethiopia. (FM)
Compiled by Florence MacDonald