26 February 2024
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – A chilling report by the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has shed light on the dire human rights situation in the Oromia region, revealing widespread extrajudicial killings and civilian casualties.
The report, covering September 2021 to the present, paints a grim picture, implicating government security forces, the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF-Shene), and informal armed groups from the Amhara region in the deaths of at least 103 civilians. These acts, the EHRC emphasizes, constitute “war crimes and crimes against humanity,” demanding an immediate and impartial investigation to ensure accountability.
Beyond the fatalities, the report details numerous instances of injuries, forced displacements, kidnappings, and robberies perpetrated by these armed groups.
In response to these alarming findings, US officials, including Assistant Secretary of State Molly Phee and Special Envoy Mike Hammer, have raised their concerns during discussions with Ethiopian authorities. They urged the government to prioritize civilian protection, hold perpetrators accountable for their actions, and actively pursue peaceful resolutions through dialogue.
The US has further expressed its willingness to play a facilitating role in fostering dialogue between the government and armed groups, emphasizing the need for all parties to commit to peaceful solutions and uphold fundamental human rights in Oromia and across the nation.
While two rounds of talks between the Ethiopian government and the OLF-Shene in Tanzania have yielded no breakthroughs, efforts to initiate a third round remain ongoing. However, the government has yet to engage in dialogue with the Amhara-based armed groups (Fano).
Despite these challenges, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has expressed openness to pursuing peaceful resolutions, and the US encourages him to translate this commitment into concrete action.
The EHRC report serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for all parties involved in the Oromia conflict to prioritize peaceful solutions and uphold human rights. The international community, including the US, stands ready to support these efforts and facilitate dialogue to bring an end to the suffering of civilians in the region.
