Lethal crackdown sparks exodus of over 8 000 refugees from Ethiopia

NAIROBI: MORE than 8 000 Ethiopians have fled to Kenya in the wake of an erroneous, deadly crackdown by the military against civilians.

Last week, Ethiopian security forces opened fire on the civilian population in the Oromia region in neighbouring Kenya, killing at least 13 people, injuring 20 while 16 are reported missing.

It emerged that the Command Post, which is in charge of overseeing the current state of emergency in Ethiopia, acted based on a “mistaken intelligence report” after pursuing Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) militants who had reportedly crossed into Ethiopia from Kenya.

The Command Post has dispatched an inquiry team to Oromia to investigate the killings of the civilians.

The European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECPHAO), said the conditions were dire for the 8 200 Ethiopians who have fled to Kenya.

Ninety-five percent of the refugees are children and women.

“Their needs are significant, including medical treatment, food, water, sanitation facilities and shelter,” said an ECPHAO humanitarian spokesperson.

The lack of water and the overall poor sanitation situation is reason for great concern regarding a possible outbreak of cholera. Asylum seekers, of whom the majority are residing in four makeshift campsites situated close to the border, have expressed security concerns.

“Given the ongoing situation in their country of origin, it is expected that more asylum seekers may arrive.” – CAJ News/ African News Agency