Ethiopia: Ethnic Clashes Feared in Sidama Zone, SNNP
New 22 June 2012 [ESAT] There are reports of heightened fear in Sidama Zone following the conflict in Aleta Chuco town two days ago. There are reports of student demonstrations and road blockades in Tula town 10 KM outside of Awassa. Government workers were denied passage to do their field work in the surrounding towns. The students who are believed to be ethnic Sidama are stopping cars and asking ethnic Wolaitas to come out. Two ethnic Wolaitas are so far reportedly killed inside of Awassa referral hospital as of today. The news of the two killed at the hospital have inflamed Wolaitas and many fear could ignite ethnic conflict. Our reporter who has been traveling in the area said businesses at the outskirts of Awassa town are closed since two days ago. There is a huge presence of Federal Police in Awassa and its environs. A lot of fliers are circulating in Awassa and the surrounding towns. ‘Awassa is being sold to Wolaitas!’, ‘Let us save Awassa!, come out to protest and resist