April 3, 2002

The Ethiopian government bent on destroying the Oromo people’s aspiration to self-determination is once again killing innocent high school Oromo students. In Shambo, western Oromia, five students, three males and two females were killed and twenty-one wounded. In Nekemte, the capital city of Eastern Wollega, three students were gunned down. In Ambo, 60 miles from the capital Finfinne (Addis Ababa), one student is killed and hundreds detained. In Gimbi and Dembidollo, western Wollega, hundreds of students are beaten up and herded into different prisons. As the protest against this brutality spreads to all corners of Oromia, the regime is responding violently with disproportionate force. It is to be remembered that this student killer government, on April 18, 2001, opened fire on student protesters and killed more than 41 students, injured 250 and detained more than 2,200 in Finfinne alone. The same year security forces went on the rampage selectively targeting and brutalizing Oromo students at Addis Ababa University and imprisoning more than 80. Three Oromo students were killed in Ambo, two in Dembi Dollo, and hundreds were arrested throughout Oromia.

The TPLF regime should be condemned for its naked brutality against students for exercising their God-given right to stage peaceful demonstrations to air the grievances of their people who are under cruel oppression. To date, the Oromo student protest against tyranny and for betterment of the life of their people is not only continuing unabated, but is expanding to different sections of the Oromo people. The TPLF government, alarmed by this rising fury of the Oromo population, is taking drastic measures and abducting, torturing and imprisoning Oromos. The Oromo people live in terror in their own land. Oromia has become a living hell for her children. The TPLF believes that it can curb the popular uprising of the Oromo youth by sheer use of force and state terrorism. The brute force exerted against the new Oromo generation, rather than cowing them, is instead making them more resolute. More and more are putting their lives on line for the liberty of their people than ever before.

The Oromo Youth Association condemns the fascist measures taken by the dictatorial regime headed by Prime Minister Meles Zenawi of Ethiopia. We extend our deep condolences to the families, friends and relatives of all those who perished. May you rest in eternal peace, dear bright little stars of the nation, in the assurance that the liberty fire you so bravely ignited and sustained with your blood shall never be extinguished no matter what desperate terrorist act the TPLF regime may choose to take. Even though we regret that we are not with them at this trying time to struggle with them shoulder to shoulder against the TPLF occupying force, we wholeheartedly support our brothers and sisters’ cause. As we rededicate ourselves to the unfinished task of freeing Oromia, we call upon all Oromos in Diaspora to stand together and expose the brutal regime’s act to the whole world. We also call upon the youth of the world to stand with Oromo students, as repression anywhere is repression against all.

Oromia Shall Be Free!!

Long Live the Oromo Students Movement!!