Awasa

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Awasa
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pushpin_label_position = right
pushpin_map_caption = Location within Ethiopia
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subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = Ethiopia
subdivision_type1 = Region
subdivision_name1 = Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples
subdivision_type2 = Zone
subdivision_name2 = Sidama
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population_total = 84,506
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timezone = EAT
utc_offset = +3
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latd=7 |latm=3 |latNS=N
longd=38 |longm=28 |longEW=E
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elevation_m = 1708
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area_code = 46
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footnotes = Awasa (also spelled Awassa) is a city in Ethiopia, on the shores of Lake Awasa in the Great Rift Valley. Located in the Sidama Zone, as of 2006 Awasa is the capital of the Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples Region. The city lies on the Addis Ababa - Nairobi road, with a latitude and longitude of coord|7|3|N|38|28|E|region:ET-SN_type:city(125315)|display=inline,title and an elevation of 1708 meters.

Based on figures from the Central Statistical Agency of Ethiopia published in 2005, Awasa has an estimated total population of 125,315 consisting of 63,267 men and 62,048 women. [cite web | url = http://www.csa.gov.et/text_files/2005_national_statistics.htm | title = 2005 National Statistics, Table B.4 | format = pdf | publisher = Central Statistical Agency | accessmonthday = February 10 |accessyear = 2006 ] The 1994 census reported this town had a total population of 69,169 of whom 35,029 were males and 34,140 were females. It is the largest settlement in Awasa woreda.

Awassa was capital of the former Sidamo Province until the province was abolished with the adoption of the 1995 Constitution. This city is home to Awasa Adventist College, Hawassa University (which includes an Agricultural College, Main Campus and Health Sciences College), a major market, and Awasa Airport (ICAO code HALA, IATA AWA). Important local attractions include the St. Gabriel church and the Awassa Kenema Stadium. Fishing is a major local industry.

History

In September 1994 alone, 194 members of the Sidama Liberation Movement (commonly known as SLM1 to distinguish it from the pro-government SLM2) were arrested and held in Awasa prison. The chairman of SLM1, Woldeamanuel Dubale, had fled to the United Kingdom after an unsuccessful attempt in 1992 to assassinate him. [http://130.238.24.99/library/resources/dossiers/local_history_of_ethiopia/A/ORTAST.pdf "Local History in Ethiopia"] (pdf) The Nordic Africa Institute website (accessed 18 December 2007)]

The "Addis Tribune" reported 31 May 2002 that government security forces in Awasa on Friday, 24 March, killed 38 farmers who were attempting to demonstrate against the government decision to move the capital of the Sidama Zone from Awasa and make it a chartered city, similar to Dire Dawa. Three thousand demonstrators of the Sidama people, the ethnic group that so far had control of the regional capital, had taken to the streets when police declared their demonstration illegal and opened fire. The regional government recently decided to move the administrative center to Aleta Wendo.

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