Metekel massacre
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Benishangul-Gumuz Region, Ethiopia| Metekel massacre | |
|---|---|
| Part of the Benishangul-Gumuz conflict | |
  Metekel Metekel (Ethiopia) | |
| Location | Metekel Zone, Benishangul-Gumuz Region, Ethiopia |
| Date | December 22–23, 2020 |
| Target | Oromo, Amhara, shinasha, Gumuz |
Attack type | |
| Deaths | 100 by Gumuz militia;[1] 42 by  ENDF |
| Perpetrators | |
The Metekel massacre was a massacre that took place on the night of 22–23 December 2020, in the Metekel Zone of the Benishangul-Gumuz Region, Ethiopia. As of 23 December 2020[update], the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission counted 100 deaths.[1] Authorities responded by killing 42 suspects and arresting seven officials.[2][3]
Massacre
A massacre and burning of houses took place during the night from 22 to 23 December 2020 in Bikuji Kebele in the Metekel Zone. Witness Tesfahun Amogne said that the residents had been surrounded by 500 gunmen. He said that security forces had been "repeatedly notified", and arrived after the attackers had left.[4]
Amhara Mass Media Agency described the victims as ethnic Amhara and Agaw people and the killings as being "ethnically targeted".[4]
Initial estimates of the number of dead included 90,[4] 100 (Ethiopian Human Rights Commission, EHRC), 200 (National Movement of Amhara).[1] On 30 December, the government-owned Ethiopian Herald stated that there had been 207 fatalities.[5] According to the Red Cross 222 people were killed.[6]
Based on interviews with five witnesses, Amnesty International described the perpetrators as ethnic Gumuz militias and the victims as ethnic Amharas, Oromo and Shinasha, seen by the Gumuz ethno nationalists as settlers.[1]
