Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Addis Standard2
Published on 2024-04-05 08:26:49
An explosive incident occurred at Damot Preparatory School in the town of Finote Selam in Ethiopia’s Amhara region on Thursday, resulting in injuries to at least 25 students. The explosion took place while the students were taking exams in their classrooms. Four individuals suffered severe injuries, with two needing to be transferred to another medical facility for further treatment. The authorities arrested a student, Yohannes Tesfaye Shumet, for allegedly detonating the explosive device, which also caused injuries to his hand and leg.
According to a statement from the Amhara Regional Communications Bureau, the attack was attributed to an unidentified extremist group who employed a paid assassin group to carry it out. The regional authorities condemned the incident as a heinous act of terrorism. They claimed that this extremist group had targeted other schools in the Amhara region before, specifically aiming at children and disrupting the positive changes happening in the region. The group was accused of resorting to violence, intimidation, theft, and other atrocities as a response to pressure from security and defense forces.
The communications bureau issued a directive to residents in the region, urging them to take precautions against potential further attacks from the extremist group, which they claimed was on its last legs. The Amhara region has been under a state of emergency declared by the federal government since August, with a recent extension for an additional four months. The region has seen severe human rights violations due to the ongoing conflict involving government forces and the Fano militia.
Human Rights Watch (HRW) recently accused the Ethiopian National Defense Force (ENDF) of summarily executing dozens of civilians in the Amhara region. The Fano militia has also been accused of targeting civilians in various instances. The situation in the region remains tense and volatile, with residents urged to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions for their safety.
The incident at Damot Preparatory School highlights the challenges faced by educational institutions and communities in conflict-affected areas. It serves as a stark reminder of the impact of violence and extremism on innocent lives, especially children who are the most vulnerable in such circumstances. Efforts to address the root causes of conflict and promote peace and stability are essential to prevent such tragic incidents from recurring in the future.
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