December 19,1999
REPRESSION, CONFISCATION AND THE POLITICAL USE OF RELIEF AID IN SOUTH ETHIOPIA
The relentless repression in Southern Ethiopia has been aggravated by the government's deliberate decision to raise up the ante of violence by fielding an illegal vigilante force called the "Buna Gibrehail" ( literally, The Coffee Task Force). The task force, ostensibly set up to curb smuggling and illegal sale of coffee but actually formed to repress independent coffee traders for the benefit of the government-backed (and owned) WENDO corporation. Th task force, set up in October 1999 in the Sidama zone (Aleta Wendo district), is directly controlled by the government and has expropriated hundreds of coffee traders, confiscated more than 32 Isuzu trucks, and thousands of dollars worth of coffee bought by the traders from coffee planters. The illegal confiscation of the traders is aimed at favoring the monopolist desires of WONDO to be the sole agency to whom the coffee shall be sold by the peasants. The armed task force has not limited itself only to acts of confiscation but has also shot to death coffee traders. While Ato Berhanu Mule escaped the two bullets fired at him by the taskforce, Ato Mengesha Mermera was, on the contrary, shot to death while transporting one Isuszu truck full of coffe bought in Chuko to Dara . Independent coffee traders like Atos Ijigu Shaqa, Gafato Kacho, Teshete Lema,Tsegaye Tumicha,Firew Tsegaye, Israel Girma,Simeles Gabiba, Lemma Gosma and others have reported that the government controlled taskforce (at times led by officials like the Teso district deputy administrator, Regassa Latamo) has expropriated their trucks, balances, coffee and legally owned pistols and other properties. It is apparent that the aim of the repression is to favor WENDO and deprive private coffee buyers the right to engage in the business. Further reports reveal that the government is using the famine in the region (and the Ogaden too) for political ends by denying relief food to those areas deemed "hostile to the government" (food sent to Borena region was distributed in Burji area to punish the Borena Oromos). In Arba Minch, and specifically in the Derashe area, those affected by famine have been told that they can be given food if only they prove that they have given their support to the EPRDF (and allied groups) for the coming election. In Northern Shoa and areas of Wollo inhabited by Amharas, the government has totally ignored the famine victims. In many regions all over the country, the government is reportedly arresting and jailing those who have refused to sign on as its supporters for the May 2000 election.
SOCEPP
