11 Clerical Students Killed by Government Forces in North Gojjam, Ethiopia

ESG – OCP News Service – 04/03/2024

Addis Ababa- Ethiopia: On February 28, 2024, 11 clerical students (students of Ge’ez poetry and grammar) of Lay Gafit Saint Gabriel Church of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church in the locality of Birakat in the district of Mecha in North Gojjam Diocese were killed by government forces inside their huts, where they study and use as dorms, accused of sheltering and aiding the Fano – an armed group in clash with the Ethiopian government. A farmer, who had heard screams and run to aid the students, was also slain by the soldiers.

In East Gojjam Diocese likewise, on the same day, in the district of Awabel, a monk, Aba Gebre Selassie Tamene, of Mekane Kidusan Tabet Saint George Coenobitic Monastery was brutally murdered with a machete by unknown assailants who also robbed the monastery.

A few months ago, the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission stated in a press release on October 30, 2023, that government forces had killed 12 clerical students (hymnology students) of Felseta Debre Saint Mary Church in Adet of North Gojjam on October 10, 2023.

Sources:
– Tewahedo Media Center
– Mahibere Kidusan Broadcast Service
– Ethiopian Human Rights Commission
– EOTC Broadcasting Service