Analysis: Many feared dead in renewed violence in central Gonder; authorities blame “Kimant rebels”, witnesses blame regional security
Addis Abeba, April 22, 2021 – A renewed violence invoicing regional security forces and the
Kimant community in central Gonder, in Amhara regional states, left
several people dead and displaced as well as properties damaged.
The violence which picked intensity
last week and continued intermittently as of the publishing of this
news flared up after “armed groups and security forces” clashed
in Chilga Wereda of central Gondar zone, according
to the peace and security bureau head of the Amhara regional
state, Sisay Damte.
Addis Standard received testimonies from three members of the Kimant community who were following the situation closely. Melaku and Getahun (names changed for security reasons) recount the sequence of events that lead to the recent conflict and insist it was reminiscent of a previous clashes as was reported by Amnesty International; both blame the Amhara Regional state Special forces and Fano for being behind the latest bout of conflict.