The campaign for Sidama autonomy, which has been going on for some years, gained momentum when the Zone Administration in Hawassa voted for statehood a year ago.  However, the tactics employed by the elites to exert pressure for the cause is leaving the rights and freedoms of other numerous ethnic groups in the region in limbo.

The violence occurring on a daily basis in Ethiopia’s southern regional state makes one say so much for an idea of a republic, so much for federalism. 25 million people have been denigrated and the land turned into a fertile ground for brutal and lawless elements. Numerous ethnic groups living in Hawassa are being confronted with an everyday terror to which they have become numb.

When Wolayita ethnic groups have been burned alive in Hawassa city some months ago, many of us pretended such cruelty did not happen. While other ethnic groups living in the region suffered the same condemnation and virulent attacks, their properties confiscated and forced to leave, we have turned a blind eye.

The general population in the region was unable to defend itself, left its hands tied behind its back by the chain of the federal administration or authorities assigned by affiliation. A gang of criminals continues making threats of torching “newcomers” alive and attacking them with a machete. In the face of law enforcement’s inability and weakness, the law-abiding citizens have been viewed as meek.

And we need not go far to find the proofs. The region’s symbol of sovereignty, House of Representatives meeting has been belittled, dishonoured and the members who represented thousands of people have been beaten and ended up in hospital. The region’s flag has been pulled down from the flagpole and burned on bonfires.

A few weeks ago, a number of investors, merchants, and business persons have been unlawfully threatened to close their business for three days. They had been menaced that they would be chased out from the city, abandoning their properties and capital, after the establishment of the Sidama statehood. There was not a government body who gave a hoot about such threats.

To this day, the humiliation and harassment continue. When the Wolaita Dicha sport club players and supporters showed up at Hawassa City Stadium a few weeks ago, many ethnic Wolaita, Kambata and Hadia, including children who made their living selling kollo (roasted grain), sugarcane were violently attacked, were driven out to their zones.

This is happening in a country where we are claiming the rights of various ethnic groups are respected and where we keep singing the tune of ‘diversity is our beauty.’ If the truth be told, the lowly act and effrontery witnessed in the southern region could not even have been attempted in the other bigger regions of Chefe Oromia, Amhara or Tigray region’s House of Representatives.

The everyday experiences of people in the southern region testify to appalling violations of the basic principles, despite the political rhetoric of mutual tolerance, respect, and unity. As African-American right activists say ‘Black Lives Matter’, the lives of Woliyata, Gamo and Kambata matter too.

If it is not addressed, the climate of political disorder that gripped the region will not be restricted there. It will spread to the other regions and could plunge the entire country into all the horrors of blood.

Hawassa has always been a melting pot, where various ethnic groups mingled. It was built and urbanized not only by the Sidama, Woliyaita, Gamo, Hadiya, Silte, and Guraghe ethnic groups but also by the Amhara, Oromo, Tigre and Somali and the flow of financial support of federal level.

Any ethnic group has the right to demand its own region. But this has to be done in accordance with the law, without violating the rights and freedoms of others. Acts of violence and aggression in the name of self-rule or statehood cannot be tolerated in any way.

Ethiopia has a moral and legal obligation to treat many of its people equally, by providing protection and upholding a system of justice. Before lawlessness becomes a serious nationwide political threat, the government should demonstrate its commitment to ensuring the rule of law and taking a more assertive response. Citizens should also say not to unchecked violence and mayhem.

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