Oromo Opposition Official Bate Urgessa Found Dead

An Ethiopian opposition official from the Oromia region, Bate Urgessa of the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) party, was tragically found shot dead shortly after being arrested by government forces. This incident occurred in the town of Meki, located 150 kilometers south of Addis Ababa.

Bate Urgessa, aged 41, had previously been detained alongside French journalist Antoine Galindo and was released on bail last month. However, he was re-arrested by government armed forces at a hotel in Meki. His family later confirmed that he was discovered dead on a road in Melissa, on the outskirts of Meki town, with gunshot wounds.

The OLF, representing the Oromo people, expressed deep sorrow over Bate's death, condemning the ongoing extrajudicial killings of Oromo political and cultural figures. This act of violence is seen as a systematic effort to suppress the Oromo community.

The Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has called for a thorough investigation into Bate's killing, urging both regional and central authorities to hold the perpetrators accountable. EHRC chief commissioner Daniel Bekele emphasized the importance of a prompt and impartial inquiry to bring justice in this tragic incident.

The untimely death of Bate Urgessa highlights the ongoing challenges faced by opposition figures in Ethiopia. The call for justice and accountability in this case underscores the need for a transparent and fair legal process to address such grave violations of human rights.