Thread by @addisstandard

Thread
#Ethiopia:Residents of #Borena zone, #Oromia, say mass detention of hundreds of civilians in recent weeks after being accused of supporting the rebel group #OLA. Among the detainees is Jaldessa Guyu,a candidate for #AbbaGada, a traditional leadership of the Oromo community

https://twitter.com/addisstandard/status/1271364670398631942

As per community members who spoke to @VOAAmharic, individuals are being arrested for as little a reason as expressing criticism with local authorities through social media. The list for up to 200 people who are detained is available, but the residents say it could be above 600.

Case in point is the arrest of the #AbbaGada candidate, Jaldessa in #Yabelo after he spoke about lack of good governance in his district & criticized local authorities. Another resident says 4 of his family were arrested & are being tortured suspected of killing a local official.

Jarso Boru, zonal security & admin chief, didn't not deny the reports arrest, but said he doesn't know the numbers. He also admitted security forces stepped up efforts to weed out elements supporting OLA. He denied reports of rights abuse in detention & said Mr. Guyo was released