Testimony from a visually-impaired student who survived a deadly attack on civilians by Oromo Prosperity Party regime soldiers in Bahir Dar city, Amhara Region, Ethiopia

The Amhara Association of America (AAA) has conducted a human rights investigation into the reported brutal massacre in Bahir-Dar city, Amhara Region, Ethiopia. Accordingly, AAA’s sources have confirmed that between August 20th and 21st, 2024, Oromo Prosperity Party (OPP) regime soldiers executed at least 15 civilians and injured several others in Bahir-Dar city.

Full report on the massacre of at least 15 civilians and injury of several others by Oromo Prosperity Party regime forces in Bahir-Dar city, Amhara Region, Ethiopia between August 20th and 21st, 2024

Interview Transcript:

At the time, we were heading from Serf to our house in Kebele 5. As we got close to our destination they (ENDF) started shooting and kept telling us to stop

I: Aha

They were shooting automatic while saying "stop"

We thought they were not interested in knowing who we are and were just aiming to shoot us, we got down on the ground but they shot me first

I don't remember what happened after they shot me, I think I lost my consciousness when I fell to the ground

When I woke up after some time, I saw that they had shot my friend but he didn't last long before he died

After that, I got up and cried out for help until people came to help. All the roads were closed so they took me to a house for the night in agony. It was in the morning my landlord took me to the hospital to get treated

After that

I: How many times did you....continue

She took me to the hospital to get treated and they didn't charge me for the treatment at the hospital. My friends covered the cost of medications. I got treated and now I'm out

I have a follow up appointment on October 3rd. I'm with my sister now. She's the one taking care of me

I: What were the areas you got shot?

I was shot on my leg and arm. Also on my head but that one has healed

I: Are you getting better now?

My leg does not allow me to stand on it, when I stretch it, it starts bleeding

The doctors had given me an ointment to put on it, which helps with the pain even though I can't fully control my leg

I: When they (ENDF) were telling you to stop, did you just continue to walk or did you stop?

No, they were shooting while we had stopped so we decided it would be better to get shot while on the ground instead of being shot while standing, but they shot at us before we went to the ground

I: So when they were saying stand up you guys tried to lay on the ground?

They were already shooting their automatic rifles while telling us to stand still

I: So they were already shooting while telling you to stand still?

They were shooting while telling us to stand still, I think they were trying to aim and shoot

I: How many times was your friend hit?

They told me that he was shot somewhere in his face

I: That's what happened?

Yes

I: Were there others that were shot outside of you two?

My friend and I were the only visually impaired people that were shot. There were other people that were shot but I don't know them

I: Is it true that you guys tried to show them your canes?

Yeah, we were showing them our canes and screaming that we were visually impaired but they were not listening to us. They were just shooting