Ethiopian security forces kill "terrorist" US citizen
By Tesfa-Alem Tekle
March 10, 2013 (ADDIS ABABA) – Ethiopia’s security forces said Sunday that they have killed a "terror" cell ring leader in the country’s south western Gambella region bordering South Sudan.
Ethiopian-born American, Omot Odol Ojulu, who has been one of the most wanted terrorists on the country’s target list, has been killed in a joint operation carried out by Federal and regional security forces in Gambela region’s Agnwak zone of Abobo vicinity.
Federal Police sources said Ojulu was killed after he refused to turn himself in and attempted to escape.
One member of the security forces was killed in a fire exchange with Ojulu.
It is not clear if Ojulu is affiliated to a particular group such as to the home grown rebel groups of Oromo liberation Front (OLF) or Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF) which are designated as terrorist entities by Ethiopian government.
Reached by phone Gambela regional president, Omod Obang, on Sunday confirmed to Sudan Tribune that Ojulu had been killed however the official declined to give further details on the matter.
Ojulu assault on a public bus in March last year that killed 19 passengers.
He is also the master mind behind last year’s attack at Gambela based Saudi Star rice farm, an agriculture company owned by Ethiopian billionaire Mohammed al-Amoudi, which killed six people, including a Pakistani worker and injured eight others.
Following the attacks security forces then arrested at least 14 perpetrators, however Ojulu then managed to escape and had been under police hunt until his death this week.
Police said the deceased has recently been organizing and recruiting members at the region to carry out more attacks.
The terror suspect had been charged under the country’s anti terrorism law in Absentia.
Ethiopia’s Gambella region, which is one of the most fertile and resource-rich part of the country has a history of tribal conflicts.
International right group organizations have been accusing the Ethiopian government of forcing tens of thousands of Gambella villagers from their land to lease it to foreign and state-owned firms.
The Ethiopian government has repeatedly dismissed those allegations.
In May last year, Government spokesperson, Shimels Kemal, told Sudan Tribune that the accusations were “baseless” and politically motivated smear campaigns against nation.
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