By Borkena News Desk
Borkena, Toronto — Residents in Hawassa have reported violent police crackdowns as the community resists the forced demolition of their homes. Sources speaking on condition of anonymity due to fear of retaliation stated that police forces attacked dozens of residents during the operation.
According to these sources, authorities arrested numerous local youths for defying the demolition orders. Security forces reportedly rounded up the individuals, loaded them onto trucks, and transported them to detention centers—a move that further fueled public unrest in the city.
Allegations have surfaced that some residents were beaten for reporting the situation to media outlets. Witness accounts indicate that elderly residents, some in their eighties, were among those subjected to physical abuse.
At least 150 homes along the lakeside have been demolished to date. The city administration describes this project as a necessary step for “urban modernization”—a characterization residents strongly contest. This initiative follows a pattern similar to the “corridor development” project in Addis Ababa, which has resulted in widespread displacement and homelessness.
“The compensation we were promised has not been deposited, and we have not been provided with alternative land,” displaced residents told local media. Families with children face additional hardships, as many landlords are reportedly refusing to rent to households with minors.
The exact number of youths arrested remains unclear. Obtaining official information from government offices remains difficult, as access is frequently restricted to pro-government media outlets. Despite repeated attempts by Borkena to reach the Sidama National Regional State Communication Affairs Bureau for comment through their official contact channels and digital platforms, it remained inaccessible, further limiting public transparency regarding ongoing urban projects.
Borkena will provide updates as more information becomes available.
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