By the Numbers: Ethiopia, 25 November-1 December 20231Some events from this coverage period might be included in the data in subsequent weeks due to reporting delays.
- Total number of political violence events: 31
- Total number of reported fatalities from political violence: 137
- Total number of reported fatalities from civilian targeting: 59
By the Numbers: Ethiopia, 25 November 2022-1 December 2023
- Total number of political violence events: 1,256
- Total number of reported fatalities from political violence: 3,859
- Total number of reported fatalities from civilian targeting: 1,357
Ethiopia data are available through a curated EPO data file as well as the main ACLED export tool.
Situation Summary
Last week, political violence persisted in Oromia and Amhara regions, with several deadly incidents reported. The rest of the country has remained relatively peaceful.
In the immediate days before and after the breakdown of peace talks between the Ethiopian government and the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA, referred to by the government as the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF)-Shane) in Tanzania on 21 November, conflict rose sharply in Oromia region. On 2 December, the Oromia regional government indicated that it had “intensified efforts to combat” OLA/OLF-Shane.2Addis Standard, ‘Actions being taken against Oromo LIberation Army, says Oromo regional government,’ 2 December 2023 Last week, an estimated 11 fatalities were reported due to clashes between the Ethiopian National Defense Forces (ENDF) and OLA/OLF-Shane in Ibentu woreda in East Wollega zone.
Between 24 and 27 November, unidentified armed men killed at least 36 civilians in Lemu and Sole Digalu kebeles in Shirka woreda in Arsi zone.3Reuters, ‘Ethiopia’s Oromiya region accuses OLA rebels of killing ‘many’ people,’ 2 December 2023 The victims were primarily Orthodox Christians and ethnic Amhara. The head of the Oromia Communication Bureau blamed the attacks on the OLA/OLF-Shane, a claim denied by the spokesperson of the OLA/OLF-Shane.4Addis Standard, ‘News: 45 believers killed in two separate attacks in Arsi and Kellem Wollega zones, Oromia region,’ 1 December 2023 In a statement, the Ethiopian Orthodox Church denounced the killings and expressed frustration over “silence by the Assembly of Ethiopian Religious Institutions” regarding the attacks.5DW Amharic, ‘Tuesday’s December 5, 2023 World News’, 5 December 2023 The Assembly was established to advocate for all religious institutions and prevent attacks against them. Similarly, in Kellem Wollega zone, Gidami woreda, the bodies of nine members of Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus were found after their reported abduction by an unidentified armed group three days earlier. Some sources reported allegations that the ENDF was responsible for the killings in Gidami woreda.6Addis Standard, ‘News: 45 believers killed in two separate attacks in Arsi and Kellem Wollega zones, Oromia region,’ 1 December 2023 In the meantime, the Evangelical Church accused an unidentified group of committing these killings and asked the government to bring the perpetrators to justice7Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus, ‘A statement from the Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Jesus regarding the killing of its members in Gidami woreda in Kellem Wollega zone,’ 5 December 2023 (for more information on religious-based violence in Ethiopia, see the EPO Monthly: April-May 2022).
Battles between Fano militia and the ENDF continued last week in Amhara region, with fighting reported in North Shewa, North Wello, and West Gojam zones (see map below). No territorial control changes were reported, however, ENDF forces clashed with Fano militia in Negede Mariam area in West Gojam zone, located at the main road between Tis Abay and Bahir Dar towns. This fighting is linked to ENDF’s attempt to take Tis Abay town, which is reportedly under Fano militia’s control.8Shewaye Legesse, ‘Amhara region: Fighting between the government and Fano forces near Bahir Dar,’ DW Amharic, 30 November 2023
Remote violence has played a major role in Amhara region since the ENDF became involved in operations against Fano militias in April 2023. Last week, several drone and artillery strikes were reported, constituting 72% of the total reported fatalities in Amhara region. On 27 November, an ENDF drone strike on Fano militia positions hit a restaurant in Waber, Bubign woreda in East Gojam zone, killing at least 20 people. Two days later, on 29 November, another drone strike targeted Fano forces riding in a Sino truck in Bugna woreda, North Wello zone, with some sources estimating that as many as 50 people were killed.9Ethiopian Media Services, ‘EMS Zena Thu 30 Nov 2023,’ 30 November 2023 This number of fatalities could not be verified. On 30 November, an artillery shell fired by ENDF forces struck an Ambulance outside of the Delenta Primary Hospital in Wegel Tena town, South Wello zone, resulting in at least five fatalities. Lastly, in the capital city of Amhara region, Bahir Dar, two different grenade attacks were recorded last week, resulting in no casualties.
Outside Oromia and Amhara regions, Ethiopia is experiencing a general reduction in violence — a stark contrast to previous years when sustained political violence was occurring simultaneously in many parts of the country. Notable reductions include in Metekel zone in Benshangul/Gumuz region, Gambela region, and in areas of Ethiopia’s former Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples region, including, Wolayta zone, and Ale Special woreda.
