Addis Ababa, 10 April 2023 (GNP): 2 US Charity workers were shot dead over the weekend in the Amhara area of northern Ethiopia which has recently seen anti-government protests, Humanitarian charity Catholic Relief Services (CRS) claimed.
The US charity reported in a statement on Monday that, “Chuol Tongyik, a security manager, and Amare Kindeya, a driver, were shot and killed in a CRS vehicle in the Amhara region as they were returning to Addis Ababa from an assignment”.
It is a difficult day as we mourn the loss of two staff members, Chuol Tongyik and Amare Kindeya, who were killed in Ethiopia while returning from an assignment. Please keep Chuol & Amare, their families & our staff in your prayers at this difficult time. https://t.co/kWTOwladK6 pic.twitter.com/ovZpu44EXg
— CatholicRelief (@CatholicRelief) April 11, 2023
Kim Pozniak, director of communications for CRS, told reporters that the event happened near the town of Kobo, where locals had reported Sunday’s intense artillery fire between the federal troops and Amhara regional forces.
“Details of the murder are still unknown,” said CRS.
Zemede Zewdie, the CRS national representative in Ethiopia, said, “The depth of our shock and sorrow is difficult to measure and we are saddened over this senseless violence”. “CRS reiterates our commitment to continue working in support of the people in Ethiopia”, she added.
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Gondar, the site of some of the biggest protests, has been declared a no-protest zone, according to the regional administration of Amhara, which also ordered bars to shut by 9 p.m. on Monday and placed limits on the use of three-wheeled vehicles.
In other parts of Amhara, the second-largest Ethiopian province, protesters locked streets and set tires on fire, effectively paralyzing the area. In retaliation, the authorities enforced a curfew and turned off internet access in several spots.
On Tuesday, The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) also expressed concern over recent attacks on ambulances and medical personnel carrying patients with life-threatening illnesses in the Amhara region.
“Health workers, ambulances & hospitals are not a target & must be respected and protected at all times,” the ICRC Tweeted.
We are concerned about recent attacks on ambulances and healthcare staff evacuating patients suffering from life-threatening medical conditions in #Amhara region.
Health workers, ambulances & hospitals are not a target & must be respected and protected at all times #NotAtarget pic.twitter.com/ex9gVevLZl
— ICRC Ethiopia (@ICRCEthiopia) April 11, 2023
Since journalists are not allowed in the area for what the authorities claim to be security concerns, it is not feasible to independently check what’s happening there.
