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Ethiopia
opposition calls for probe into "massacre"
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 ADDIS
ABEBA(July 2,2008) - An
Ethiopian opposition party called on Monday for an official probe
into what it said was a massacre of 400 women and children in the
west of the Horn of Africa nation.
The government, which has put the number of dead at more than 20 from
the ethnic clashes in May, called the version by the Oromo Federalist
Democratic Movement (OFDM) an exaggeration.
Fighting between different communities over scant resources and grazing
is common in outlying areas of Ethiopia.
OFDM said in a statement that the incident happened in Hangar and
Didesa Valley, about 600 km (373 miles) from the capital Addis Ababa.
"Between May 16 and 31, some 400 Oromo infants, children, women
and men who lived in Hangar and Didesa valley were slaughtered by
Gumuz citizens of Beneshangul region," the party said in a statement.
"We appeal to the Ethiopian parliament to establish a commission
and investigate the causes of the ethnic conflict and the massacre
of the people of Oromo."
Information Minister Berhan Hailu said the number "was an exaggeration".
"The government has apprehended the perpetrators and investigating
further the cause of the violence that erupted suddenly," he
said, without giving an update on those killed.
"A reconciliation process is being undertaken to solve the problem
faced by the displaced people."
The OFDM, which has nine seats in parliament, said the regional government
had ordered a news blackout, preventing people in the area from talking
about the massacre.
"Innocent people were mowed down. Pregnant women were slaughtered
and their bodies strewn around. Arms and breasts were severed and
men were murdered and beheaded," it said.
OFDM added that some 10,000 people were uprooted and left without
shelter and appealed for urgent assistance.
Independent versions from witnesses in the region could not be immediately
obtained.
The statement added that the government was "an accomplice".
The government rejected the accusation.
"While the government is handling the situation promptly, the
statement by OFDM is tantamount to a call for reprisal action, which
did not help the situation," the information minister said.
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