Armed men killed dozens and displaced over 94,000 people in their latest attack on various kebeles in Konso Zone, as reported by Addis Standard. The affected areas include Megala-Digaya, Garcha, and Aylota Dokatu kebeles of Konso, Gato Kebele in Derashe woreda, and some in Segen Area People’s zone.
According to the report, Konso zone gained autonomous zone status, splitting from the Segen Area People Zone in November 2018 after about four years of struggles and protests by the community. However, the zone status was followed by violence due to intermittent attacks from armed groups who opposed the split.
Witnesses quoted by Addis Standard said that the latest violence was ignited from a border dispute involving two individuals. The armed groups have been targeting Konso community members in the day-long attack with heavy armor. Federal forces, who had been deployed in the area, were evacuated a few weeks ago and might have created a security gap.
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