What do you think about the violence in Addis Ababa? What does it mean for Prime Minister Meles Zenawi's regime?
Many Ethiopians have been shot dead and hundreds of students have been arrested for defying a ban on protests, after last month's elections.
Final results have not been announced three weeks after the parliamentary election as reports of alleged fraud are investigated.
Should the international community intervene? Were the security forces entitled to use strong tactics? Are the protesters being used to score political points and create mayhem? Should Meles Zenawi keep his position in Blair's Commission for Africa? Have you been affected?
This debate is now closed. Read a selection of your comments below.
The following comments reflect the balance of opinion we have received so far:
 | EYEWITNESS  They were directly shooting at everyone. They were aiming right at the people Yeneayhu, 29, Ethiopian lecturer |
What the government is doing is terrible. My son was protesting and was shot four times just because he tried to save a woman from being shot. I hope that the international community will help us.
Charles Zenawi, Addis Ababa
I have friends out in Ethiopia and I have just come back from a three month trip. While out there I did not meet one person planning to vote for the party in power, except those scared not to. Everyone wanted the opposition. There was huge tension, rumours spread suggesting the party would refuse to step down. What has happened does not surprise me, yet I'm shocked and scared. The current party does not know human rights.
Anon, UK, Beds
How could the world turn its face from Ethiopia when people are dying and thrown into prison? Do we have to have oil? It that the only way, to get help nowadays?
Kidist Girma, Stockholm, Sweden
I am also a witness. The shooting was everywhere, even though it was very serious in places like Merkato. What I can understand from this killing is that they wanted to kill and wound as many protesters as they can and blame the opposition parties.
Nebiat, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
I would like to send out my message to the international community, in particular to PM Tony Blair as he engages to fight African poverty. Ethiopia is an ethnically divided country and at the moment tension is rising to the maximum. The ruling parity is facing a huge demonstration throughout the country and it is blaming the opposition party instead of facing the fact that the party has failed to provide the most basic of things in the last 14 years.
Therefore the ruling party is facing very angry and hungry demonstrators through out the country. I personally don't see any way of peace being achieved without the help of international community, and we need the help now. Otherwise we may see another Rwanda. We need help we need help now.
Hile, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
The international community has always been making it difficult for poor countries like Ethiopia in their fight against brute dictators. They provide unconditional support to leaders like Meles Zenawi who commit atrocious crimes against their own people. They call them the new leaders of Africa?
As if Africa deserved irresponsible, power mongering leaders. For example, Prime Minister Tony Blair takes Meles as a partner. On the other hand sanctions have been put on Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe. What is the difference between Meles and Mugabe? We don't have much to expect from the international community.
Woldedawit, US
I'm a medical intern doctor in Black Lion Hospital. What I have seen today is beyond my imagination. I couldn't believe Ethiopian troops could shoot and kill a sixteen year old female high school student who was shot in the head. The hospital is crowded with victims of violence by this unlawful government, we are facing with a significant shortage of blood, and other emergency medicines, even gauzes and hydro-peroxide for wound cleansing is out. People are everywhere.
Crying mothers are disrupting life saving efforts by the medical team when they find their son/daughter has been dead. There is too much screaming and total havoc. Please America, the UK, the West - where is the compassion for innocent human life? This government will destroy the country and will lead it to tribal warfare if it is not stopped. I have to go now. I am just taking a break to check the BBC News. Please help us.
Yohannes Seyoum, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
I have a message to the Prime Minster of Ethiopia. Mr Zenawi - Why do you want to push innocent people into chaos? Thirty plus years ago you were one the protesters.
Kale-Ab Tesfaye, Atlanta, GA, USA
This looks similar to the popular uprising against the imperial regime in 1974. We all know how that ended. We do not want a repeat of the past. But I am not sure if anyone knows how to avoid it. Why is it at every turn our nation goes the worst way?
Ayalew Gebre, Arlington, Virginia, USA
The Ethiopian people are asking a very basic question, are the ruling regime going to allow an independent investigation into the alleged election irregularities and to respect its outcome? Will they immediately lift the state of emergency and media blockade against the opposition? If we are really serious about introducing democracy into the country. No scapegoat!
Elias Endre, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
What more do we need to observe for the international community to intervene? More bloodshed or would it be a wise decision to stop it before it escalades in to a modern day Rwanda? Let you be the judge.
Sammy, USA
I am a victim of successive Ethiopian regimes. I was bitten by Derg police 1989, imprisoned by Weyyane regime 1993-95 and again tortured to the maximum in 1999. All these were because of my ethnic background, not for any crime. The loss of life now happening in the country makes me very sad but be proud of your struggle to get rid of the minority government. One day I hope there will be mutual understanding and respect for human beings of any kind race and religion. Please call in international community to interfere before it escalates.
Bora, Oslo
It is sad to hear about the situation in Ethiopia. I think everybody should contribute to bring back calm and solve the problems peacefully. We should be worried about our country and the future of our people than the attention we get from BBC or a foreign body.
Samuel, Amsterdam
I am from Black Lion Hospital here in the capital Addis Ababa. I am a doctor. I was busy treating a lot of injured civilians. I have myself seen 26 dead bodies here in the capital. The situation is very very bad. I can't see anymore so I left my office and am crying in my bed.
Dr Ayalew Feleke, Addis Ababa
Ethiopians in UK have a grave concern regarding the situation in Ethiopia. The UK government should interfere and we need an urgent reply from PM Blair. Why did he appoint Meles Zenawi as one of his African Commissioners when he does not respect human rights.
Beth, London
It is now confirmed at least 18 people from Black Lion hospital and seven others from St Paul's hospital are dead. Hundreds are wounded and being carried away to hospitals and to nearby clinics. The Agazzi special army from Meles Zenawi's birth town Adowa understand only Tigrigna and are ruthlessly murdering the people here. The world is giving a deaf ear to this brutal attack of Meles Zenawi. VOA and German Radio (DW) reporters are banned from reporting, their IDs confiscated.
Residences of main opposition parties have been surrounded by the regimes police and secret service agents in plain cloth. The CUD PR Mr Lidetu Ayalew is under house arrest. Others will follow, according to sources in the city. The city has now fallen under the reported 70,000 troops from Tigray region. Mothers are mourning and are shouting for their murdered children.
Seble, Addis Ababa
|  I am so ashamed really. Are we of a different country? |
Yesterday, I had the chance to see when some students from Addis Ababa University were released. I saw two blind students helping each other while leaving the bus and entering to the campus. At first, I suspected my eyes and told myself they can't be blind students but lately I realized that they were blind� look what the government is doing?
I had the chance to talk to the students and they told me that they were mistreated and were asked their ethnicity. Is it important to ask their ethnicity? And there are at least 200 students detained there. I am so ashamed really. Are we of a different country? Why don't you guys go to Sendafa, the place where they detained many students, and see what's going around there. Please help us.
A friend from Addis Ababa University told me that police fired a gun on him and his friends as they were surrounded by policemen. His friend was almost hit by the federal police car deliberately! Why doesn't his Excellency, Mr Tony Blair, teach the prime minister of Ethiopia, Mr Meles Zenawi, a lesson of democracy.
Lily Eily, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Who will stop our new Mengistu? It is time for change in Ethiopia. He should not be allowed to fool the international community as a man of progress. No he is not!
Girum Tesfahun, Toronto, Canada
| On the public media, the federal police and the mayor are threatening the people |
I live near by a high school called Medhanealem. In the morning the students were told that there will be exam and they went to school. Right after they got there, they were locked in the compound by the police. Those who tried to complain were beaten and taken in a closed police car, God knows where. Then parents had to go and beg the soldiers to release the rest.
However the soldiers don't understand Amharic, they only speak Tigrigna and they don't care if one is a mother or old man. They push and pull everyone. Finally they were released, thank God. On the public media, the federal police and the mayor are threatening the people. I feel like we are 14 years ago back in the communist regime. They are armed, shooting and killing. What option and power do we have except leaving it to God.
Hoda, Addis Ababa
The last two to three weeks we were terrorized by a well armed special forces who speak only Tigrenga language (the speaking language of Meles Zenawi's ethnic group). We saw, every single day, a bunch of armed forces on a pickup truck to terrorize the innocent citizens, but no-one was afraid of them till today. Today the special force shot innocent citizens. The blame should be taken by EPRDF (frauds) and the national election board (the EPRDF's right hand).The national election board could have done the right thing, but they are a collection of immoral elites._
Gudnesh, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
The situation in Addis is more than you could imagine. The problem is of killing innocent Ethiopians is so wide that is beyond the scope of both local and foreign journalists to cover. It is scary to see the heavily armed special Militia force killing young and peaceful demonstrators. I know the international community will reach us eventually but only after perhaps thousands have lost their lives and millions displaced as happened in Darfur.
Solomon A, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
I don't understand how a government can open a fire in response to stone-throwing and still claim that it is working for the peace of the society. I have a friend who lost a sister (a mother of two) who was just standing by her door.
Jetem, Ethiopia
It is high time President George Bush and Prime minister Tony Blair as well as UN intervene before Ethiopia becomes another Rwanda.
Gorfuneh Geremew, Stockholm, Sweden
| Killing innocent people will not be a remedy to a political crisis |
Killing innocent people will not be a remedy to a political crisis. By shooting its own citizens the ruling party has demonstrated that it is in no better position than its predecessor.
G Getu, Ethiopia Here both the security forces and the students are at fault. I don't think the measures take by the Ethiopian security forces are appropriate by any standards. While students should have sought the most legal way to challenge the outcome of the elections and voice their concerns. This is total madness - with 22 students gunned down. Where do we think we are going?
Gebre , Cambridge, USA
Mr Blair say something to Mr Zenawi. Innocent unarmed civilians are being shot dead for exercising their basic rights. One life is too many. Talking about debt relief is not enough when the people we are meant to help are being brutally treated and murdered.
Meaza, Plymouth, Devon
The EPRDF hoped it could once again hoodwink the international community into believing that its show elections were real. Now its mask has been taken off. Ethiopians have always known the EPRDF's true self, and any doubters now have the opportunity to see its true nature. The moment it realised that it was losing the elections, a state of emergency was declared followed by massive vote-rigging, forcing Meles Zenawi to resort to the only way he knows how to rule - brute force. Donors and Meles' financiers have to ask some serious questions. Surely, they cannot go on supporting a dictatorship bent on clinging onto power at all costs.
Sewbageru, Ethiopia
Where is our Prime Minister and the Democracy he was talking about? It is killing students and help less protestors. We are ashamed of our Prime Minister. Please the International community help the helpless Ethiopian peoples.
Elizabeth, Addis Ababa
I am an eyewitness of the event. It is sad to have such causalities. Unlike the last two days students' protests, today's protests were not peaceful and are initiated by hooligans in the Mercato business area. They used roadblocks and were trying to loot some shops even destroying roofs. I heard gun shots and ambulances were taking the injured to hospital. A few minutes ago I visited the area and there were burnt tyres and stones stretching for almost 2kms. I strongly condemn such violent acts. The international community should inform them to denounce such violent protests. I believe the government has the responsibility of protecting us from such threat of hooligans, but should be proportional.
Ali, Addis Ababa
The report is too one sided. I do not like the Government, but opposition have gone too far this time. They want to take all the houses back to the rich and again bring the one ethnic domination to the rest of Ethiopian by force under the disguise of democracy. Just accept and avoid the blood shade. They will be out of the country enjoying their money leaving the poor to die.
Asefa, Addis Ababa
I think democracy in Ethiopia will take a long time because the regions are divided based on ethnicity.
Dany M, Ethiopia
The armed forces have made the city to look like a war zone. All the deception in the election process has made people angry and the government's actions are only fuelling the anger of the people. This government needs to understand that the use of force will only make things worse. Instead of making statements that contradict the reality and trying to deceive people they should make statements that will calm the situation and promise that the election process will end in a fair and free manner.
Samuel Teka, Addis Ababa
Yea, I am around the affected area. This is the work of those who, from the beginning said: "No matter what, there has to be a revolution." A political party who enters democratic elections with such a thought can but disrupt the whole process so as to fulfil the party's hidden political agenda. I can't blame the government, the police or the peace forces for what is happening.
I am only sad because the victims are not those who instigated the whole thing but others. You know what will happen; surely the history of 1974 will not happen now it will not be repeated. It can't because if anybody wishes to opposes a democratic and lawful objection and demonstration is outlined by the current constitutions.
Samuel Arkebe, Addis Abeba, Ethiopia
I was in the compound of Sidist Killo University on the day the federal police kicked brutally my friends. I escaped by hiding myself under the trees beside the ILS building. I was very surprised when my best friend Girmaye came towards me with other four boys. I did not expect that he came to catch me and bring me to the Federal police.
Before they brought me to the police they tried to kick me. When Girmaye stood beside me I was expecting him to tell me something. Immediately he knocked me on my face. I fell down. Then, immediately I started running towards the gate. He and his friends cried behind me as they had chased a criminal. When I reached the front the police caught me.
Zelealem Tadese, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
I am one of AAU students taken to Sendafa on Monday. EPRDF officials warned us such a movement will not worry them. They also said that they had sacrificed more than 40,000 gorilla fighters and will never give up power. The officials said EPRDF prefers one generation to be perished than giving their power for opposition parties. How do you evaluate then?
We were deceived by the prime minister and his followers that the election will be free and fair. Look at the reality now every one of you here and out there. They are plainly telling us that they fought not to free the people from undemocratic rule but to put themselves on an eternal throne being a whitewashed kings over us. We need democracy prior to bread now.
Wednesday is a horrible day for us. Soldiers who are loyal to the government are shooting dozens of innocent people. I heard now from Arbaminch University that students are forcefully taken out of their campus to military camps. This is terrifying as well.
Sinayehu Bedmeye, Addis Ababa
| What can we do except cry for God |
I am an instructor at Addis Ababa University. I was right there when innocent, only pen-packed students were mutilated by gun butts and sticks of the EPRDF Military forces. This is my first horrible experience I ever had in my life. What malicious, what a chaotic, cruel, murderous? I tell you these forces were wild bloodthirsty beasts.
They only speak Tigrigna language where most student protestors don't speak the language. They don't care who you are, if you're on their way you are a victim, just like that. What always makes me amazing is that the international community doesn't ever say a word about it. I tell you had we been significant to the westerners like Iraqis at least potentially. They could have taken a measure to such kind of seemingly democratic for westerners but a tyranny for its own people government. Just amazing!
What can we do except cry for God. But history will never forget such biased carelessness of the westerners for us. Yes I know that Ethiopia is poor, with no potential benefit to the westerners like what Sudan, Iraq, etc. have.
Yeneayhu, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
The city is in an uproar. Though in some districts there is peace, in most of the parts of Addis Ababa people are demonstrating against the illegal arrests of the students. Since the entire taxi association has stopped giving services, nobody can get to work. Banks, private shops and even many government offices are closed. There have been many shots fired and we don't know what is really happening though we know for sure that many people have been killed and injured.
Anonymous, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| Most embarrassing to witness that the gun is fired by an Ethiopian federal police officer |
I went out for work at 6am as usual but couldn't drive to my office seeing everybody stacked everywhere because of unavailability of transportation. It was also terrible to hear gun shots knowing that some of the bullets are going into the heads and chests of decent citizens. Most embarrassing to witness that the gun is fired by an Ethiopian federal police officer.
Simon, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Today around 1.30pm the State Radio announced that all taxis must give service starting from now, but still there is no taxi at 2.50pm. All shops and businesses are closed. The government forces are brutally beating and killing innocent people. I can tell the government has a great desire of complete disorder in Ethiopia. The officials do not want to see any other party ruling this country after them. I really do not understand why the international community does not say a word before it is too late.
Melaku T Mariam, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Heavily armed soldiers are swarming the capital. No taxis and so people are walking to their home for they have no any other option. Shops are closed and almost all workers are not able to reach their working place. Some parts of the city are almost deserted.
Dagim, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
I am working in the UN and I don't even feel any thing here at all, the atmosphere here is different, seems like nothing is going on. Unless the killing is stopped, as we have many races here and I heard some of the ruling party race homes are bombarded with stones, it can lead us to genocide, which we saw it in Rwanda.
KN, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Today I hear many gun shots and I believe that they are not for animals, but they are for my brothers and sisters.
Dawit, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
It's sad to see something that started out as a peaceful election process escalate into all out violence. What ever grievances the opposition and or the students had has been marred by both sides in which the opposition should have abided by the rule of the land and the government should have handled the situation other than with the AK-47, but when it comes to disrupting the normal day to day life of other citizens with the main agenda being outright violence that's unacceptable and government has to make sure that there is peace and security.
Yared, Addis Ababa
I have seen every thing. All the problems are started by the security forces. They just came trying to arrest peaceful civilians. The rest of the crowd stood against them, and finally started to throw stones. But these people who are trained to keep the country from foreign invaders fired on their own people. Meles was among the protestors 30 years ago but he is hurting innocent people.
Kuki, Addis Ababa
I couldn't go to bed last night because the gunshots took me back to old memories in Somalia. The gunshots were directed to the students and the civilians. I tried to contact to one of my friend living in Sholla, unfortunately, the cellphone network was not functioning. If the international community do not intervene in this chaos, a new genocide will be witnessed.
Siman, Addis Ababa
The military is moving into a high war attitude in the city. People are afraid of being shot by the military. One of my friends has seen a boy shot in the head in the midst of peace. May God keep us from the devil's snare.
AB, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| Bloodshed will only take the country backwards |
Opposition should back off. They have won over one third of the seats in parliaments from a government that took power through armed struggle. This should be enough for them for now. Bloodshed will only take the country backwards. Today's taxi strike is simply the better poor striking against the poorer. The rich from both sides are in their comforts and will remain so .
Hailu, Addis Ababa
I have called my relatives in Addis and heard that the situation is getting worse each day and lots of people have died and hundreds of them are being arrested. I am really disappointed about how the international community fails to intervene at this early stage before the country is going to crisis. It is better for the international community to intervene ahead of time rather than simply talking about social justice and protecting the will of the people.
Unless they are taking immediate action they will be once again blamed for the crisis the country might face very soon which might lead to ethnic conflict like Rwanda. Please all the international community - lend your hands to the people of Ethiopia and help them to calm down the situation.
Tazabi, Trondheim, Norway
My sister is working in one of the government owned hospital. A while a go I phoned her to find out the situation over there. What I heard as a reply is with heartfelt sorrow, something difficult to believe. There are a lot of victims even a child of age 10-12. How on earth can a human shoot on such an innocent future life of Ethiopia. The act is irresponsible and barbaric.
Anonymous
We are witnessing ambulances and Red Cross cars speeding around. There is gunfire and smoke that can be seen from a distance there. I was told that in some areas Ambassa buses are being attacked. The complete taxi strike continues... (there are a few cabs here and there to be seen).
ABO, Addis Ababa
Around 500 innocent civilians including some pregnant women have so far been arrested in the event of this morning. I couldn't understand why the policemen have so unkind, kicking, beating, and hitting them by the butt of the gun. There is curfew now in the city. Another Somalia is on the way.
Anonymous
I indeed am an eyewitness to what is going on here. The killings are being carried out by the army, not the police or security forces. Although we have the right to denounce the frauds committed by the ruling party in vote counting, we were rather calm to give the opposition chance for a legal/peaceful fight. However, the army itself instigated the violence through their attempt of collecting university students suspected of being supporters of the opposition.
The students had no choice but to respond. The people then followed suit. The reaction was not organised by the opposition as the government claims but by the people themselves. What is next? We are fed up with these guys and there is no way they can remain in power through fraud. With the local media belonging to the dictator, we plead on the BBC and other media to show EPRDF's brutal acts to the world.
Mintesinot , Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
I was near the technical school when students demonstrated yesterday. I was not able to see much because the federal police blocked the perimeter. But I heard one girl died. And today it is quite in the Bole are but I hear an 11-year-old died in the Merkato area.
I for one blame the opposition party who has the ear of the people but has decided not to use that power for the good of the country. It looked like the elections were the best thing that happened to the country but now they are turning out to be the worst.
Brook, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
The current rulers of this historic nation tried to fool the world by pretending that they are committed to democratic changes. Ultimately, this is one of the brutal regimes seen in the history of man kind. Ever since this election process began we have been witnessing more repressions, killings and massive intimidations of citizens. I'm working for an international aid agency and we all are deeply disturbed by what's going on in this nation.
Alonso, Addis Ababa
A friend of mine has called and told me that a 14-year-old school boy was shot dead at about 1130 hours, the victim was in his school uniform.
Kebede, Addis Ababa
Please be informed that the city buses are being burned by EPRDF itself but saying the rebels did it. This is scandal. There is no person who can burn even a broom, let alone a bus.
Unknown, Addis Ababa
I am so very worried and frustrated about my family living in Ethiopia. I know how brutal the Ethiopian security forces are. They do not care about a human life. Unless the international community intervenes as soon as possible, the situation will get out of hand and uncontrollable. The people of Ethiopia are fed up of the dictatorial and corrupt government of Meles Zenawi and tension is boiling high.
Dr Manaye Ewunetu, London, England
We are at risk. The brutal Meles government is killing innocent people, they are irresponsible. A peaceful demonstration and they reply with bullets. Why is the world ignoring the Ethiopian election? Please speak on behalf of us to the world as they will soon start to kill all of us!
Ami, Addis Ababa
Many people are dying by the bullets fired from the special forces brought from Mekle town from the ruling party area and they are shooting straight to the head today around Mesalemia in my living area and there was no reporter to report this to the world. It's so simple. How can they win in the rural area if they lost in the cities? Please send your reporters and show this to the rest of the world before Ethiopia became Rwanda.
Anonymous, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| There was blood everywhere |
BBC TV where are you when we need you? When one person is killed in the Palestinian territories, you will be reporting it all day long. Today over 20 unarmed Ethiopians have been murdered by the security forces, yet not a word has been said on your television channel. I live five minutes from where the main incident happened today. I have been hearing gun fire all morning (for about three to four hours).
I walked to the city centre to see what was going on. It was horrifying. There were a large number of unarmed civilians peacefully protesting. A short while later the special security forces showed up armed with automatic rifles and rocket propelled grenades. When the crowd dispersed in fear, they started shooting at them. There was blood everywhere. Please expose this to the world. Don't wait for another Rwanda to happen.
Yosef, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
I have seen dead bodies with my own eyes at Atobistera, Tekleymanot and I saw fire raised in Merkato. In Lideta area also there is trouble. Now buses have also stopped working. Is this democracy?
Welega, Addis Ababa
| It is a shame that the opposition parties are using the immature young Ethiopians for their political gain |
It is a shame that the opposition parties are using the immature young Ethiopians for their political gain. For me it has become clear that these parties (especially) the CDU have gained the vote which it is not ready to take. Therefore, they are trying to draw the attention of the international community as if they gained more.
There is a country which would watch with arms locked while destructions are growing here and there. A party who preaches war and aggressiveness definitely can't have the morale to take the leadership. CDU, you will take all the responsibility of the loss in the country!
Naod, Addis Ababa
Personally I have not seen anything that can be termed as violence. But the eerie atmosphere that has engulfed the city is equally depressing and worrying. There is no transportation, as the taxis have totally disappeared from the streets. I hear that it is not safe to ride in the city busses because they are being targeted by protesters.
The majority of Addis Ababa's people have been caught off guard by this strike. I for one wanted to go to the market to buy some stuff, but could not do that as there was no transportation. And I heard the shops are also closed.
Chuhet, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
It is a sad picture. What I have been witnessing today reminded me the Dergue days of late 70s. This is all the consequence of ethnic politics.
TB, Addis Ababa
I am a lecturer in Jimma University, Ethiopia. The students here in Jimma University started to protest after they have heard (in Deuthce Welle and VOA) that the Addis Ababa University students were protesting and heavily abused by police. Our students here were protesting peacefully that the government must stop election fraud, arrested students in the capital must be released with out any precondition and the ban of demonstration imposed by the Prime Minster should be lifted.
I saw so many students coming to the hospital wounded and heavily bleeding. Again I saw yesterday in the afternoon that many students including females were taken to unknown place. The condition is spreading alarmingly overall the country and is getting very terrible. The people in the town are very tense, and in most offices, people are not working.
Dr Molla Yirsaw, Jimma, Ethiopia
The action of EPRDF against the innocent unarmed students and the people as a whole is shameful. I have been in Merkato when gun holders were shooting the local youngsters. The fact is that almost all Ethiopians clearly know that the EPRDF can never win a single seat in Oromiya, Addis Ababa, DD, Amhara and Southern Regions (totally 485 of the 547 seats) unless there is no opposition candidate in that constituency.
Nobody can deny that except some people who blindly and purely ethnically support EPRDF. Denying the very truth can never be a solution. We, Ethiopians, are united to make peaceful and legal protests against them. It is my belief that our votes should be respected and it is evident that we will never sit idle if our votes are denied. Help us God!
Kebede, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| My girlfriend told me that she was stranded in the middle of the clash and saw a man shot dead just by her side |
People were protesting against police in Merkato; they were throwing stones on the very few taxis in the town that have not joined the strike. In the police were shooting people just like that. My girlfriend told me that she was stranded in the middle of the clash and saw a man shot dead just by her side.
She was too scared. She stayed at stranger's house for hours until the shooting stopped and things begin to look calm again. The rage of the people is beyond words, they keep on shouting "Ehiadeg leba" (EPRDF thief). Only the government can calm this - by honouring the vote of the people.
Araya, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
The people of Addis Ababa are now receiving the brutal treatments of the EPRDF which people in rural areas like Oromia have been accustomed to. Meles's government is now killing and torturing innocent people even when the world is closely observing. Shame on Meles and his accomplices!
Tewodros, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
I wonder why the international media (BBC/CNN) provide low coverage to what is happening in Ethiopia these days. Many Ethiopians are left dead, tortured, jailed and harassed by the Meles regime. The people are defending their right. However, free press, the international community and the powerful states are expected to play their share, if the are about to see a free and democratic nation.
Zelalem, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
It is very sad to see unarmed people being killed and beaten by heavily armed police and soldiers. It is also embarrassing for the government to start this violence and use it to blame the opposition parties.
Febele, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
At this very moment at 1150 I have seen 12 dead bodies (shot) at the causality room of Tikur Anbessa Hospital. The dead are all sorts of people, young old and female. I assume more will come to this hospital. There are many who are fatally wound and admitted to intensive care unit waiting for their death any time. There will be more killings in the city. As I write this note I hear shooting, firings and ambulance sirens in the city.
Abeba Sissaye, Addis Ababa
Today, 8 June 2005, Addis Ababa is in a mess. Now Ethiopia needs international attention. If this continues as it is, we'll enter into crisis we never have had before. The blind government of Meles Zenawi is doing everything from arresting to killing the civilians. I witnessed today at least 20 dead around Mercato. Shame on you.
Yonas, Addis Ababa
| Oh God, how scary it is to watch someone die |
Oh God, how scary it is to watch someone die. I had the worst moments of my life. I am a worker in the Red Cross and have only served six months and haven't seen dying people before. The militia are shooting on people who are throwing stones. A gas or firing at the sky would have sufficed. The government should tell the soldiers to calm down.
They seem very aggressive and inhuman. We couldn't also with them communicate as they speak only Tigrigna, a language spoken only in Northern Ethiopia. I appeal to the international community to interfere and mediate both parties. People are dying. What else do we need to see that the country is on the verge on anarchy and authoritarianism?
Ghion, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
The strike that was called today was not organized by CUD, the government security personal found the lead. According to the citizen of Addis Ababa the oldest clandestine political organization called EPRP disseminated the leaflets. There is a speculation also that tomorrow there will be another strike call for the military.
Alemu T, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
It was just what is expected from a democrat state. I totally disagree with the protest movement against the government.
Hassicho, Mekele, Ethiopia
Yes, I have seen how the brutal special army called the Agazzi from the Tigray region was. They were throwing peaceful protesters on to their trucks. Many trucks full of protesters have been rushing off to unknown destinations. We appeal that the British government intervenes before hundreds and thousands of people are murdered.
Seble, Addis Ababa
| I have never experienced such a scary moment in my life |
I am a high school student. Our school is near Aratkilo campus, I actually saw the protest on the first day. It was very very scary. I have never experienced such a scary moment in my life. The federal police are everywhere. A lot of students were injured. I also heard that a student was murdered. Our parents are scared to send us to school. Now there is no school, no transport and no communication (mobile phone network) in the country.
Our brothers, sisters and friends who were taken to Sendafa (one of the biggest prisons far from Addis) are still suffering. Other universities outside Addis Ababa are also experiencing the same problem. The government is not showing any progress. Things are getting worse not better. God knows what's going to happen next. Please pray for Ethiopia, pray for our country. That's the only way to get out of this problem.
Hanna, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Oh, it is terrible. I went out this morning. The streets of Addis Ababa were quiet. Even small shops are closed. We have stopped working to protest peacefully against the fraud and arrest of students. The government's soldiers are still injuring the innocent people who are just trying to protest peacefully. I became frightened and returned home.
The students have been imprisoned in their campus. Last night we heard gunshots and today, the government army has started a war on peaceful citizens. Is this the meaning of democracy? Why has the rest of the world kept quiet? Isn't there anything to be done to help us? Are we Ethiopians never going to see democracy in our country?
Addis, AAU Building college, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Ethiopians are continuing their fight in protest against the result of the May elections announced by the ruling EPRDF and will continue to do so until the Electoral Board decides to correct the irregularities and conducts re-elections in the constituencies where the votes are rigged. The Nation is ready to respond to the appeals of the Coalition for Unity and Democracy - CUD - that won a landslide victory in Addis Ababa.
The Party has been able to attract all segments of the population to its side. Students in all of the Nations' institutions of higher learning had staged peaceful demonstrations in their campuses on Monday. A Special Force of the Government raided the campuses, ruthlessly beaten and took them to concentration camps where they are being tortured.
The residents of the city of Addis Ababa has have remained at home in response to a call for a civil disobedience. Government offices, private trades and city transport services have come to a standstill. The city is calm but members of the special armed force are patrolling the city.
Bogale, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
I am afraid of what is happening in this country. Two or more people are killed in Teklehaimanot woreda. There is also a rumour that the ruling party soldiers who came from the rural areas are trying to rape the arrested university girls. We are crying. Listen to us, listen to us...
Zinash Asefa, Addis Ababa
I am a student in the Addis Ababa University and I was participating in the peaceful demonstration. The reasons for the demonstration among the many are: The students who have been caught by the federal police on Monday at midnight should be released soon. The ruling party should respect the votes of the citizens and leave the place to the winning party. We did nothing bad. The federal police are responsible for everything that is not good.
They are the reasons for the demonstration. They entered illegally to the social and science faculty of Addis Ababa University. The government should have answered our questions. The police kicked the students aggressively. No political party initiated the students. The main reason is the government itself.
Yirga, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
My account is about the protest at Jimma University which is not reported by any international media. After the arrests in Addis on Monday, students in JU main campus started to shout and chant slogans against the ruling party. By Tuesday morning armed police and soldiers stormed the campus and started beating students with clubs and rifle butts.
About 300 students including nearly one hundred females were taken to the military camp in the outskirts of the town. The chairman of the students' council was also arrested when he went to inquire about the imprisoned students. On Wednesday the rest of the students are demanding the release of fellow students. Police, armed with assault rifle are in the vicinity, ready for action.
Unanimos, Jimma, Ethiopia
| They were throwing the students at the top of cars like a non-living material |
This is really worrying. Why is the government becoming so undemocratic? Why should the students be kicked like this? I am a university lecturer and I was horrified when the students were shouting and running to escape the policemen. I saw some when they were throwing the students at the top of cars like a non-living material. This government is shameless.
Girum, Ethiopia
Yes I saw the protest. It's not only the police, the army also participated in controlling. They were using force and arrested many students from Addis Ababa university. Most of the central shops and the biggest market (Mercato) and Piazza are closed.
DA, Addis Ababa
I am a witness of the events.... University students in Addis Ababa main campus (Sidist Kilo) and the Science faculty (Arat Kilo) held peaceful demonstrations, which commenced last evening (candlelight vigil). The federal police and co. stormed the compound and began arresting students, even those that were sleeping were dragged from their bed. The protest (which amounted to screaming and chanting) continued through the night and into the morning.... by this time things had become tense and police brutality had reached all lows.
These students never left campus, they were on their university grounds. However, hundreds have been brutally beaten (without medical care)and taken to an undisclosed location. I understand one student has been murdered and there are rumours of more. We are having trouble reaching people via mobile or the land lines. We have armed soldiers (we have never seen such mean looking soldiers ever) everywhere, driving in vehicles with the guns pointed at the populace. Very scary!
However, because the present regime does not trust the local police, they have disarmed them (guns removed) and replacing them with batons (sticks). Having said that... most of the students were mercilessly beaten by those synthetic batons. There are no taxis in Arat Kilo and Sidist Kilo and school children everywhere have been dismissed from schools. All the surrounding churches have been closed.
Mimi Abebe, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
At Kotebe teachers college, Addis Ababa, the students are protesting. There was gunfire and a number of students are injured. This one was a bit serious. A college teacher who teaches there phoned me.
Annasareza, Addis Ababa
| Around the place I am in, the gun shoot was like in Iraq |
In the morning, I was passing by the main campus (which I belong to) to my work (to another college where I teach). It was impossible to enter and to exit either! Students were stacked in the campus. After some four hours friends from the main campus gave me call to take care cause the situation is bad! The students were taken to prison! It is after seeing these students that the students from the college I teach protested against the act!
Now, the college is controlled by the police! Almost the students are under their control. Four students are wounded and taken to a clinic. Around the place I am in, the gun shoot was like in Iraq. We are stacked in the college! The situation is bad here! Some fortunate students are with us! Please pray to Ethiopia! Come one pray to these people!
Eebbaa, Addis Ababa
The ruling party arrested many students and tried to send to Shoa Robit one of the biggest prisons far from Addis Ababa and the people around one of exit from Addis Ababa were forbidden to pass the trucks by closing the road with stones and different materials. The students had yelled to the people "they are going to kill us please help us." I am one of the fathers who his son is arrested please help our children from EPRDF mass arrest and torturers.
Abebe Kebede, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| One can easily read the faces of residents that things are frightening and could go out of control |
I was at one of the gates of the University around 1500. The roads leading to Social Science and Natural Science campuses are closed for traffic. I saw a large number of people searching for their children. Some of them were weeping. Members of the federal police are there blocking people from entering the campus.
Some students were leaving the compound carrying their bags. Only students and staff are allowed to move in and out. Many of the shops are closed. One can easily read the faces of residents that things are frightening and could go out of control. The situation is no different in other colleges and universities. I just heard that there is a similar situation in Kotebe Teacher's College in northern Addis Ababa.
It would be good if you try to cover extensively what is going on and what is going to happen, because the media is fully controlled by the government and we are deprived of our right to know even what is going on in our country Thanks,
Muluken, Addis Ababa
Police is taking all the students to Sendafa, a town 30km east of the capital. There is a big police academy there. The federal police was throwing students on to the trucks like bags. There were some gunshots in downtown during daytime. Most shops in town are closed. Some people protested the students arrest and tried to stop the trucks on its way to this academy. Police fired rifles and arrested some of those people.
The police academy has a reputation for being a torture location for Addis Ababa University students. In 2001 many students has suffered brutal treatment at the academy for more than two weeks. In my opinion, the government will do any thing to stick to power, including killing the students.
Many elementary and high school students in Addis were heading to their home in the afternoon. Government and private employees are mostly still working. The international community has to intervene so as students won't get the brutal treatment like that of 2001.
Yidnekachew Belete, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Yes, we have seen a lot of students passing by our home taken to prison by the government to a central cell in a place called SENDAFA. We counted more than 12 fully packed buses and trucks with university students and police. People are out on the street and some of them crying. We have been hearing a lot of gunshots and a lot of ambulances about. For now the gunshots are gone and it seems peaceful. Please pray for our country.
Brook, Addis Ababa
At midnight yesterday, university students gathered around the main campus main gate, singing and chanting. Police had surrounded the gathering and me and my friend were told to return back and not enter the campus. Early this morning, as we returned for lectures, students were still protesting and they were increasing in numbers.
Posters and flags had been hanged at the campus fence. The number of police also increased continuously and by midday riot police arrived and surrounded the protesters completely.
The students were told to sit down as five lorries started transporting them away. The lorries came back, since there were about 1,500 students to transport.
Few people were left in the dormitories, and now the campus is silent even though police is still patrolling. The students of the city's commercial college and building college have also started protesting, schools are closing and the entire city is very tense.
In Mercato, the market area, almost all shops are closed in protest.
Kebede (student at AAU), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
The students sat at the main gate of Sidist Kilo Campus of the Addis Ababa University peacefully demonstrating. The police surrounded the campus threatening to storm in any time.
They told everyone to disperse with the exception of few journalist who also followed us a couple of minutes later. I saw students packed in army convoys. Probably to Sendafa or Colfe Police camp where they usually torture people.
Also on my way, high school and junior students were also taken from a nearby school in Piazza. I an at my office right now. I plan to go home early today and stay there until the crisis is over.
I urge the international community to hear the cries of Ethiopian students from the police camps and respond to it immediately.
Henok Semaegzer, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Around 7:05 am, I have been in Arat Kilo, a place where the Faculty of Natural Sciences, is located. I was there for coffee before leading to the Ministry of Education where I work. I heard students shouting and trying to go on to streets.
They were saying: National Election Board is a thief. Lift the ban. Meles is Eritrean and we need an Ethiopian leader. Our votes have been stolen and return them back. We are from the rural areas and we know for whom our parents voted. EPDRF can't trade with the rural people. One can observe their anger, emotions and others.
I saw a number of highly armed polices and military personnel in the surrounding, too. It seems that this election dispute is leading the country to chaos. I don't know why the world kept quite while the problem in this ethnically divided country is going deeper.
Solomon Abera, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
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