Ethiopia's ex-rebels start hunger strike

The ex-fighters had responded to peace overtures by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed

Former fighters of the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) in Ethiopia have gone on a hunger strike at a military camp where they have been staying since laying down their arms following a peace deal with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's government.

The fighters said they were subjected to "poor living conditions" at Tolay camp in south-western Ethiopia, and promises that they would be given to training to build a new life have failed to materialise.

"We are being treated inhumanly and no one cares about us," an ex-fighter told BBC Afaan Oromoo.

"Most of our comrades are now ill due to lack of hygiene and absence of food," he added.

Prominent opposition politician Bekele Gerba - who was part of a committee which negotiated between the government and the OLF - said he heard that the ex-fighters had grievances, but was still trying to get permission from the regional government to visit them.

The regional government has not yet commented.

Nearly 1,000 ex-fighters are believed to be at the camp.

Source: BBCNews