Federal Police: Negele Borana Shooting Investigation Launched After Teen Killed

• A 17-year-old youth was killed and six others injured when Federal Police opened fire on residents in Negele Borana, Oromia.
• The incident occurred during a police crackdown on informal traders after residents demanded the return of seized property.
• The deceased was identified as Murtii Issaaq Alii Duubaa, and a 55-year-old woman, Aaminaa Godaanaa Duubaa, sustained severe injuries.
• An eyewitness stated that the victims were ordinary, unarmed residents not involved in the trading dispute.
• A local official confirmed the incident, and an investigation into the security forces' actions is currently underway.

The tragic events in Negele Borana underscore critical concerns regarding the conduct of the Ethiopian Federal Police and the protection of human rights within the Oromia region.

A tragic incident unfolded in the Goobicha neighborhood of Negele Borana town, situated in Oromia's Borana Zone, when Federal Police officers discharged firearms into a crowd of residents. This violent event led to the immediate death of a 17-year-old, identified as Murtii Issaaq Alii Duubaa, and left at least six other individuals wounded. The incident unfolded around 7:00 a.m. local time, reportedly as part of a broader crackdown on informal traders in the area.

According to local accounts, Federal Police personnel entered the neighborhood and proceeded to search various homes. During these searches, officers allegedly confiscated several items, including bars of soap, shoes, and three bundles of used clothing, loading them onto a vehicle. The situation escalated dramatically when residents confronted the officers, demanding the return of their property, at which point the police reportedly opened fire. Murtii Issaaq Alii Duubaa, who relatives stated was returning from exercising, was killed instantly.

Following the shooting, four of the injured individuals were initially transported to Negele Borana General Hospital for medical attention. Among them were 60-year-old Diida Xachee Yaabichoo and 55-year-old Aaminaa Godaanaa Duubaa, who was reportedly shot while accompanying her grandchildren to school. Aaminaa sustained severe injuries and required transfer to Hawassa Referral Hospital for specialized treatment, according to a close relative. Murtii Issaaq Alii Duubaa's funeral service was scheduled for the same afternoon, as confirmed by his family.

An eyewitness described the shooting as "deeply distressing," noting that law enforcement, whose duty is public protection, instead fired upon unarmed civilians. This witness further clarified that the victims, both deceased and injured, were not the informal traders whose goods were allegedly seized, but rather ordinary residents who were not involved in the initial dispute. A local official, speaking anonymously, corroborated the incident, confirming the fatality and multiple injuries, and stated that a Negele Borana Federal Police shooting investigation into the security forces' actions is currently underway. This incident has ignited widespread calls for accountability, with thousands of social media users in the Borana Zone demanding justice for those they believe were unlawfully harmed.

The tragic events in Negele Borana underscore critical concerns regarding the conduct of the Ethiopian Federal Police and the protection of human rights within the Oromia region. The alleged use of lethal force against unarmed civilians, particularly those not directly involved in the purported crackdown on informal traders, raises serious questions about adherence to proportional force and rule of law principles. This incident contributes to a broader narrative of potential Ethiopia police excessive force in Oromia, demanding rigorous scrutiny and transparent processes.

The ongoing investigation into the security forces' actions is paramount for establishing legal responsibility and ensuring accountability for Federal Police Ethiopia. Such incidents, including the Murtii Issaaq Alii Duubaa killing, highlight the urgent need for robust mechanisms to address human rights violations in Ethiopia and provide avenues for justice or compensation for victims and their families. The public outcry and demands for justice from the Borana Zone reflect a deep-seated concern for state accountability and the protection of civilian lives during law enforcement operations, particularly in the context of the Goobicha neighborhood incident.

This incident, involving federal police opening fire on civilians during a crackdown on informal traders, resulting in death and injuries, signals a critical development for human rights lawyers and those monitoring state accountability in Ethiopia. The ongoing investigation into the security forces' actions will be crucial for establishing legal responsibility and potential avenues for justice or compensation for victims and their families. It underscores the need to monitor police conduct and adherence to rule of law principles in the region.

Source: Original reporting via Addis Standard.