Since May 18 2010, as a continuation of Ethiopian regime’s policy of collective punishment of the Ogaden people, a large contingent of its army had rampaged in an area of 50 km radius in and around Malqaqa, using several platoons of its trained militia as trackers and informants. The ruthless troops had so far massacred 71 innocent civilians with impunity while wounding and torturing hundreds. This carnage took place around all the areas between Malqaqa, Farso, Galaalshe, Fafen, Bambas, Goray and Babile (see attached Map). Most of the victims were community elders, and farmers and their families. The Community in the Malqaqa area are sedentary farmers and their livelihood depends on farming and livestock. The Ethiopian army and their security teams combed the countryside, summarily executing men in front of their families while beating , raping or killing the women. The people in the vicinity then flee in terror to the bush abandoning their farms and livestock. To isolate further the Malqaqa area community, the Ethiopian Army cordoned off all the main towns and villages in the area. This in effect is depriving the terror-stricken victims, any refuge or support from the wider communities in the outlying towns.
Currently hundreds of Children, women and the elderly are hiding among the bushes with no food and shelter while their farms abandoned with their animals stolen or feasting and destroying the farms that took so long to develop and establish. General Samora Younis, the Chief of Staff of the Ethiopian Army visited Jigjiga in June 8, in order to congratulate the military commanders leading the massacre and give further instructions regarding the new genocide campaign that is being planned for the rest of the Ogaden.
The extra-judicial killings have intensified since the last two months and more than 60 people were killed in other parts of the Ogaden. In addition the Ethiopian army reinforced the 4 year blockade that was in place in Ogaden, as result, food price rise that aggravates the already destitute people in Ogaden.
Therefore, the Ogaden National Liberation Front calls upon the Secretary General and the UN Security Council to act immediately and takes concrete steps to halt this unfolding genocide and offer immediate support to the community that had been decimated by the Ethiopian regime.
Ogaden National Liberartion Front (ONLF)
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