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Transcript/ScriptETHIOPIA AMHARA FIGHTING
HEADLINE:Ethiopia: Despite 'Humanitarian Ceasefire' Fighting Has Broken Out Again in Amhara
TEASER: back and forth fighting has ravaged Amhara for months, now residents tell VOA they just want peace
PUBLISHED AT:
BYLINE: Henry Wilkins
CONTRIBUTOR:
DATELINE: Shewa Robit, Ethiopia
VIDEOGRAPHER: Henry Wilkins
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VIDEO SOURCE (S): VOA, ZOOM,
PLATFORMS (mark with X): WEB __ TV _X_ RADIO _X_
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EDITOR NOTES:))
((INTRO))
Ethiopia's declared ceasefire with Tigrayan rebels in March raised hopes for possible peace talks to end the deadly 15-month war. While some northern areas of Amhara region saw a brief return to peace, fighting resumed leaving desperate civilians waiting for the bloodshed to end. Henry Wilkins reports from Shewa Robit, Ethiopia
((VIDEO-VOA: IMAGES OF BURNED OUT MILITARY VEHICLES - various, IMAGES OF AMHARAN LANDSCAPES AND TOWNS - various))
((NARRATOR))
Ethiopian president Abiy Ahmed announced a humanitarian ceasefire five weeks ago, but it is already beginning to fray. In the northern region of Amhara fighting subsided, but, last week, it erupted again.
Witnesses, who got caught up in the fighting when militants from the Fano militia group of ethnic Oromo separatists, opened fire on civilians about five kilometres from the town of Shewa Robit, spoke to VOA.
((Wendowessen Mamo, Witness (in Amharic, ?? secs)))
I was three kilometres away when the conflict erupted. Molale, the epicentre of the conflict is almost burned to the ground, like Ataye town was, where three such ethinic based conflicts happened in the space of a year.
((VOA-VIDEO: IMAGES OF AMHARAN LANDSCAPES - various))
((NARRATOR))
The hills of Amhara have been the scene of back and forth fighting between government forces and Tigrayan separatists (TPLF) and militia groups for months.
((Henry Wilkins, journalist for VOA News (in English)))
People here have had their homes destroyed, their relatives killed and their lives upended. Most people I've spoken to say, they just want to see peace now.
((Optional))
People here have had their homes destroyed, their relatives killed and their lives upended. Most people I've spoken to say, they just want to see peace now.
((End Optional))
((VOA-VIDEO: ESTABLISHING SHOTS OF VICTIM - various))
((NARRATOR))
Not least Demeku Ali Abdu, who claims her son was disappeared and then killed after TPLF troops occupied her house last year.
((Demeku Ali Abdu, mother of abuse victim (in Amharic, ?? secs)))
When I confirmed my child's death I felt so alone. I felt bereft for my future. And,also, I thought about his two children growing up without a father. I hate to live without him.
((???-VIDEO: VIDEO SHOWING TIGRAYANS BEFORE BEING SHOT, VIDEO - VOA: ESTABLISHING SHOTS OF VICTIM - various, ESTABLISHING SHOTS OF MILITIAMAN - various))
((NARRATOR))
Both sides in the Ethiopian civil war have been accused of human rights abuses. These images, rights organisation, show government forces killing Tigrayans.
For Ahmed Mohammed Seid, part of a local militia who fought to push the TPLF out of his hometown, he too hopes the fighting has finally ended for good.
((Ahmed Mohammed Seid, local militiaman (in Amharic, ?? secs)))
l hope such conflict will never come back again. All parties have learned lessons and I hope every person strives for the prevalence of peace
((VIDEO-VOA: ESTABLISHING SHOTS OF SPOKESPERSON - various))
((NARRATOR))
However, a spokesperson for the local government said the presence of the TPLF in Amhara has emboldened other sepratist groups, like the Oromos who are aligned with them.
((Jemal Hassen, Oromo Special Zone Government Spokesperson (in Arhamic, ?? secs)))
The special Oromo zone as both forces have a common goal or target. Their marriage seems to have become more concrete as they have comments agendas of dismantling the state apparatus and retaking control of politics.
((VIDEO-VOA: IMAGES OF BURNED OUT MILITARY VEHICLES - various, IMAGES OF AMHARAN LANDSCAPES AND TOWNS - various)).
((NARRATOR))
In January, President Abiy announced a national dialogue with the aim of bringing peace to the country, but the initiative has been criticised for failing to include many of the factions engaged in conflict, including the TPLF.
((Mandatory Courtesy: Zoom))
((Kiram Tadasse, Ethiopian Analyst (in English, ?? secs)))
There was optimism from all parties involved. Divergence has also started to emerge, among these opposing parties especially among those that are not included and its credibility has been questioned.
((VIDEO-VOA: SHOTS OF MILITIAMAN WALKING INTO DISTANCE - various))
((NARRATOR))
Given the renewed fighting in this area of Amhara, at least, residents’ hopes for peace might not be realised.
((Henry Wilkins for VOA News, Shewa Robit, Ethiopia))
NewsML Media TopicsArts, Culture, Entertainment and Media
NetworkVOA
Location (dateline)Shewa Robit, Ethiopia
Embargo DateApril 28, 2022 23:14 EDT
Byline((Henry Wilkins for VOA News, Shewa Robit, Ethiopia))
Brand / Language ServiceVoice of America - English
