Catholic Relief Services (CRS) has reported the killing of two of its aid workers in Ethiopia’s Amhara region amid civil unrest.
Development Diaries reports that the unrest was triggered by the government’s decision to dissolve the regional security units of the country’s 11 federal states and fold them into the federal forces.
The aid workers, Chuol Tongyik, 37, a security manager, and Amare Kindeya, 43, a driver were killed while travelling back to Addis Ababa.
CRS Communications Director Kim Pozniak said that the incident occurred in the town of Kobo. According to The Associated Press, the town was the scene of fighting between the Ethiopian military and Amhara regional forces Sunday.
‘The depth of our shock and sorrow is difficult to measure and we are angered over this senseless violence’, CRS country representative in Ethiopia, Zemede Zewdie, said.
At press time, the government of Ethiopia had not commented on the killings.
Ethiopia’s constitution gives federal states the right to run a police force to maintain law and order. However, several states have also formed regional security forces.
Protests have taken place in Ethiopia’s Amhara region for the fifth consecutive day against the government’s moves to dissolve a paramilitary force.
Clashes have been reported between protesters and the military in Kobe town, near the border with the neighbouring Tigray region, as protesters blocked roads with rocks and burning tyres to prevent the military from travelling around.
It is understood that they fear the government’s decision would leave them exposed to attacks by neighbouring regions.
Photo source: Needpix