The incident in Bahir Dar

Dere News update on October 27, 2023. The incident in Bahir Dar. Gogot for Guraghe Unity and Justice Party said yesterday that a top party official was detained by government security forces.

Party Office Deputy leading staff and Head of the International Relations Department, Melaku Sahile was arrested by the security forces on October 25, 2023, the party disclosed. Head of the party’s Public Relations Department, Jemil Sani, confirmed to Deutsche Welle (DW) the arrest of the official, Melaku Sahile.

The party made official on its social media account that Melaku Sahile was arrested while he was walking home. “We learned from families that Melaku was detained near his residence around 6:00 pm on October 25, 2023,” the party indicated. 

The party further announced that Melaku was under custody in the 3rd police station near Semen Hotel. The police did not say anything about why the party official was arrested, according to Gogot. Gogot for Guraghe Unity and Justice Party is known for its strong opposition against the ruling Prosperity Party, it was learned.

Jemil, Party public relations head, said that the official who was detained had no criminal record or had never been charged. Jemil expressed the thought that Melaku might be arrested for the mere reason of reflecting opinions and criticisms on his personal social media account.

People in some Woredas in West and Kellem Wollega Zones of the Oromia Region have been exposed to severe famine, sources said. Residents of some Weredas in the stated Zones said that they have experienced a severe famine, Voice of America (VoA) reported yesterday.

VOA said that some Woredas in the West and Kellem Wollega Zones of the Oromia Region have been exposed to severe hunger due to the prolonged conflict between the government forces and the Oromo Liberation Army.