Opposition Parties Accuse Gov’t Of State Terrorism In Light Of Drone Attacks

16 killed in February 23 strike in East Gojjam

By Lwam Ataklti

In a joint statement, four opposition parties have criticized the government over what they describe as the increasingly irresponsible and destructive use of drone strikes on civilians.

The Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Party (EPRP), Enat Party, the Amhara Nationalist Movement, and the All Ethiopian Unity Organization (AEO) released the statement this week, following reports of a drone attack in the Amhara region that claimed the lives of 16 civilians.

“In recent years, there have been repeated, irresponsible and harsh drone attacks in the Amhara, Tigray and Oromia regions. Many civilians, including children, have been victims of the attacks,” reads the statement.

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The opposition parties accused the government of complacency and irresponsible behavior.

“The government is gradually becoming more and more complacent and expanding the scope of its attacks. Instead of regretting its actions, it is increasingly boasting about its evil deeds, and is using the country’s resources to attack and kill civilians,” reads the statement.

The outcry came following a drone attack in Hamus Gebeya, in the East Gojjam Zone, on February 23. The attack resulted in the deaths of 16 civilians, including children, and nearly a dozen serious injuries.

“This irresponsible action is a significant example of state terrorism,” reads the statement.

The parties accused the government of misleading security forces into participating in war crimes, including massacres, abductions, and arbitrary killings, as well as knowingly entangling the military in political affairs in a bid to hide its ineptitude.

They say that although Ethiopia is signatory to international laws that protect civilians, religious institutions, public facilities, and cultural heritage sites during war, the government has repeatedly violated these provisions and the Ethiopian constitution by targeting civilians, health facilities, schools, and places of worship.

The Government Communications Service did not respond to The Reporter’s repeated requests for a response to the joint statement.