In the aftermath of a tragic event that occurred in the town of Keranio, in the east Gojam zone of the Amhara region, where seven civilians lost their lives and two others were injured, tensions remain high among local residents. The incident, which took place on June 14, 2024, involved an attack by government security forces on civilians attending a funeral.
Eyewitnesses reported that the attack occurred as villagers were digging a burial pit at the Debre Keranio Medhanialem grounds. Five civilians died on the spot, with one passing away in the hospital, and another individual identified as a church student was found deceased. The scene of the attack was described as chaotic, with survivors found covered in the bodies of those killed.
The residents of Keranio are still gripped by fear following the attack, which has disrupted daily activities in the town. Despite the arrival of military and government officials, their presence did little to reassure the community, as they focused on apprehending an armed individual rather than engaging with the residents.
The lack of formal governmental structures in Keranio has led to the formation of a temporary conflict resolution committee by the local community, in collaboration with Fano, to manage the town’s affairs. This incident in Keranio was followed by a similar attack in the town of Jiga, where at least 13 people were killed in plain view of the public.
This recent violence is not an isolated incident in the region, as similar extrajudicial killings have occurred in the past, sparking international calls for independent investigations. The Ethiopian Human Rights Commission is currently investigating the events in Keranio and Jiga, as concerns grow over the escalating human rights crisis in the Amhara region.
The ongoing conflict between government security forces and militia groups has resulted in a significant number of civilian deaths in the region, with the majority attributed to government forces. The international community has raised alarm over the situation, urging for immediate action to address the escalating violence and protect the rights of civilians in the region.
