Jimma University gutted by fire - 36 students expelled from Oromia universities

One dead at Adama

By Groum Abate - Capital

06 September 2006

Two buildings housing student dormitories in Jimma University , have been burned down after ethnic violence erupted at the university.

Students who were at the university when the incident occurred told Capital that the clash erupted two weeks ago and led to the torching of the two dormitories. The students said that fire destroyed the boy's dormitory commonly known as Comoros , and half of the 4-storey building hosting the girl's dormitory and referred to as Babylon . They also claim that students have been injured throughout the week by the violence. The students have also added that five students, out of which four are regular students, were expelled after they were found guilty of instigating the violence.

In related news, violence also flared at the Adama University , (formerly known as Nazareth Technical College and Adama Technical Teachers College ) with ethnically agitated chaos reportedly claiming a student's life, and injuring several others.

Members of the regional police squad, present at the scene anonymously told Capital that some Oromo students from the institution spontaneously declared that the land belongs to them and told students from other tribes to leave. “Non-Oromo students left the compound when regional police tried to stop the violence saying they are biased and support the Oromo students,” the regional police member said. “It was not all the Oromo students that were behind the act, it is only one faction. Some students were even holding an I.D of the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF), which is an illegal party.” According to reports, several students and members of the Adama police have been injured by iron batons in a clash amongst themselves and police, leaving a student shot dead amidst the conflict that took place during the whole of this week.

Sources also disclosed that classes have so far not resumed and have been closed for more than a week now. Various attempts to talk to officials of the university were unsuccessful, as the management was on continuous meetings, figuring out the steps that should be taken. According to some non-Oromo students, they are unfairly treated by the teachers and staff of the Adama University simply because of their ethnic background and have called for fair treatment. Established in September 1993, Adama University is the first institute in the country to offer degree programs for technical and business teachers. The university adopted its current name last year in July, 2005.

In related development, 31 students have been expelled after police provided evidence to the school administration that these students purposely instigated the chaos that left many students wounded. The conflict that broke out between Oromo and Amhara students has also caused over 500 freshmen to leave the compound and resettle at a nearby church, claiming that they fear for their lives.

These students have now found a solution after the vice president of the university went to talk them out of the church. According to students at the university, they agreed on the conditions the vice president outlined and went back to their campus. The students have now resumed classes after a week long interruption. Machetes and daggers were used in the clash. Police arrived late but were able to control the violence.