Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Addis Standard
Published on 2024-04-10 16:27:31
The Oromia regional government released a statement condemning the killing of Bate Urgessa, a prominent Oromo political figure. The government explicitly stated that any ongoing propaganda to blame the government for the killing is unacceptable. According to the statement, Bate Urgessa, who was a political officer of the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF), was killed by unidentified assailants in Meki town. The government emphasized that regardless of the perpetrator, the act itself is entirely unacceptable.
Moreover, the statement accused certain political entities of attempting to exploit the situation to compensate for their political losses by wrongly attributing responsibility to the government for the killing. The government assured the public that details of the investigation into Bate Urgessa’s killing will be revealed after a thorough legal process. It also cautioned against spreading baseless claims and highlighted the importance of allowing security forces to conduct a proper investigation before assigning blame.
In a separate statement, the armed group Oromo Liberation Army (OLA) claimed that Bate Urgessa was forcibly taken from his room by security forces and executed. They further accused government security forces of hindering the recovery of his body and impeding further autopsy procedures. Reports indicate that Bate was shot dead on Tuesday night in Meki, his hometown, and his body was discovered by the roadside the following morning.
A family member of Bate Urgessa recounted that he was taken from his hotel room in the middle of the night by individuals resembling government security forces. The Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC) urged for a prompt, impartial, and comprehensive investigation into the killing to hold the perpetrators accountable. Meanwhile, the Opposition Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) condemned the “brutal murder” of Bate Urgessa and expressed deep sadness over his death.
Bate Urgessa, an outspoken politician, had recently been released on bail after being accused of conspiring with armed groups to incite unrest in the capital. He had a history of periodic detentions and had faced health issues during previous incarcerations. Bate had described his harrowing experiences in various detention centers in Oromia region. The OLF called for neutral and impartial investigations into his killing and appealed to human rights organizations for support.
The late politician was known for his eloquence, selflessness, and bravery. His unfortunate death has sparked outrage and demands for justice from various quarters. The government reiterated its commitment to uncovering the truth behind Bate Urgessa’s killing and holding those responsible accountable. The investigation process is ongoing, and more information is expected to be disclosed to the public in due course.
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