Hawassa- a city in disorder

Sidama's campaign for self-government, which has been going on for some years, has gained momentum when the Hawbada area administration vote for a state a year ago. However, the tactics used by the elites to lobby for the cause leave the rights and freedoms of many other ethnic groups in the region in limbo.

The daily violence in the state of southern Ethiopia is such that much is said about the idea of ​​a republic and federalism. 25 million people have been denigrated and the land has become fertile ground for brutal and lawless elements. Many ethnic groups living in Hawbada face a daily terror to which they have become numb.

When Wolayita ethnic groups were burned alive in the city of Hawbada a few months ago, many of us have claimed that such cruelty did not occur. While other ethnic groups living in the area suffered the same condemnation and the same virulent attacks, their properties confiscated and forced to leave, we closed our eyes.

The general population of the region was unable to defend themselves, arms tied by the chain of the federal administration or by the authorities designated by affiliation. A group of criminals continues to threaten to torch new arrivals, to attack them with a machete, in the face of incapacity and weakness of the police. Law-abiding citizens were considered gentle.

And we do not have to go far to find the evidence. Symbol of sovereignty of the region, the meeting of the House of Representatives has been depreciated, dishonored and members who represented thousands of people were beaten and hospitalized. The flag of the region was removed from the mast and burned on bonfires.

A few weeks ago, several investors, merchants, and Businessmen were illegally threatened with closing their business for three days. They had been threatened that they would be hunt out of the city, abandoning their properties and capital, after the creation of the state of Sidama. There was not a government agency that mocked such threats.

To this day, humiliation and harbadment continue. When players and supporters of Wolaita Dicha Sports Club came to Hawbada little a few weeks ago, many ethnic Wolaita, Kambata and Hadia, including the children who made their living selling Kollo (roasted grain), sugar cane were violently attacked, were hunted to their areas.

This is happening in a countries where we claim the rights of various ethnic groups are respected and where we continue to sing "diversity is our beauty". If truth be It has been said that the modest acts and effrontery in the southern region could not have been attempted in the other great regions of Chefe Oromia, Amhara or the House of Representatives of the Tigray region.

The daily experiences of the people of the southern region point to appalling violations of basic principles, despite the political discourse on mutual tolerance, respect and unity. As right-wing African-American activists say: "Black life matters, the life of Woliyata, Gamo and Kambata is also important.

If nothing is done, the climate of political disorder that has gripped the region will not be restricted. It will spread to other regions and could plunge the entire country into all the horrors of blood.

Hawbada has always been a melting pot with various ethnic groups. It was built and urbanized not only by the Sidama, Woliyaita, Gamo, Hadiya, Silte, and The Guraghe ethnic groups, but also the Amhara, Oromo, Tigers and Somalis, as well as the financial support provided at the federal level.

Any ethnic
group has the right to claim its own region. But this must be done without violating
the rights and freedoms of others. Acts of violence and aggression on behalf
of the cause of autonomy or state can in no way be tolerated.

Ethiopia has a moral and legal obligation to treat many of its inhabitants equally, by providing protection and maintaining a justice system. Before anarchy becomes a serious political threat at the national level, the government should demonstrate its commitment to the rule of law and a more badertive response. Citizens should also say not to control violence and chaos.

Issued under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
Please quote the observer from Ethiopia and make a clear link with the
original article if you republish. If you have any questions, please
contact us at [email protected]. Check individual images
for license details.