1. Inadequate representation in Gurage politics. Here Gurage only refers to Sebatbet, not Mesqan or Kistane
2. Infrastructure and service shortages due to 3 or 4 villages compressed as one due to which gov services are alloted for one village only.
3. Unable to teach their children in their language.
4. Petty intolerance of differences in dance styles and wedding processes from Gurage as reasons for a separate Welene identity.
5. Also mentioned Welene is 100% Muslim and are brothers to Silte, admired for their progress since they declared separate identity from Gurage.
6. About 1,000,000 strong in population
7. And wealthy, only second to Silte
The two speakers almost as a second nature or as an unconscious bias, frequently referred to Gurage as their oppressor and then clarified that they only meant the Gurage Zone officials, not the people. But, the Kebena and Mareqo minorities are not this rational. They have waged a gorilla warfare killing Gurages as responsible in the districting of their villages and towns. But ordinary Gurage people have no decision making power about which village or town gets zoned where.
A former Gurage Zone official that I know as a leader in Gurage is only Elias Shukur from Mesqan, the rest are not:
Jemal Mohammed, a Kebena
Garuma, an Oromo in Gurage(current ruler of Gurage)
Big policy makers that the zones implement were SNNPR Presidents
1. Abate Kisho...Sidama
2. Kasu Ilala...Gurage father and Sidama mother, never lived in Gurage
3. Shiferaw Shigute...Sidama
4. Dessie Dalke...Wolaita
5. Million Matheos.....Sidama
6. Erstu Yirdaw...an Amara in Sebatbet Gurage
7. Endashaw Tassew....Hadiya president for Central Ethiopia Region
Conclusion: Sebatbet Gurage are being falsely persecuted, to the extent of gruesome murders, kidnapping, arsons, lootings of shops and cattle, etc.