EPO Weekly Update (30 April 2024)

Situation Summary

Armed clashes continued in Amhara and Oromia regions, while border clashes between Afar and Somali regions reignited. Meanwhile, the National Election Board of Ethiopia announced upcoming electoral activities in several regions of the country.

Continued Armed Clashes in Amhara and Oromia Regions

In Amhara region, battles between the Ethiopian National Defense Force and Fano militias continued, marking a year since the beginning of clashes in the region that have no end in sight. During the last week, clashes between these actors were reported in East Gojam, West Gojam, North Gondar, and South Wello zones. As reported by government sources, intense fighting occurred in Barjano kebele in Goncha Siso Enbese woreda, East Gojam zone, where government troops claim to have killed 20 Fano militants.¹Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia Defense Force, ‘The East Gojam Zone Command Post releases groom kidnapped from wedding,’ 23 April 2024

Like in Amhara region, clashes persisted unabated in Oromia region, with fighting between the Oromo Liberation Army — referred to by the government as the Oromo Liberation Front-Shane — and government troops reported in Arsi, West Arsi, West Shewa, West Wollega, East Wollega, Kellem Wollega, and East Shewa zones. Reportedly intensified clashes between the two actors occurred in the Bako Tibe woreda and Guto Gida woreda in East Wollega zone.²Oromia Communication Bureau, ‘The OLA/OLF-Shane group is surrendering as it is not acceptable for people due to its terrorist acts and also difficulty in moving its troops,’ 25 April 2024; Oromia Broadcasting Network Afaan Oromoo, ‘Rule of Law enforcement operations in Guto Gaddafi and Wayyu Tuka,’ 24 April 2024

Renewed Clashes on the Afar-Somali Border

Clashes in disputed territories along the Somali-Afar border broke out again amid a peace process led by the government and the Ethiopian Islamic Affairs Supreme Council. Fighting between Afar and Somali ethnic militias was reported on 12 and 13 April in Gewene and Gelalu woredas in Afar region and in Garani and Madani towns in Siti zone, Somali region. Clashes were an interruption to the peace talks over disputed land that have been ongoing since March.³Addis Maleda, ‘A reconciliation committee was established to solve the problems facing the border areas of Afar and Somali regions,’ 9 March 2024; United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, ‘Ethiopia – Situation Report, 26 Apr 2024,’ 26 April 2024 Following the clashes, a ceasefire agreement was reached on 18 April, and the Ethiopian Islamic Affairs Supreme Council asked that the regional governments of both Somali and Afar regions fulfill their responsibilities in sustaining the ceasefire.⁴Addis Maleda, ‘A ceasefire agreement was reached to end the conflict between the Afar and Isa tribes that lasted for more than half a century,’ 19 April 2024; Ethiopian Islamic Affairs Supreme Council, ‘The regional governments of Afar and Somalia are called upon to fulfill their respective responsibilities for the sustainability of the peace agreement,’ 20 April 2024

Upcoming Electoral Activities

On 26 April, the National Election Board of Ethiopia announced that voting would take place on 16 June in select areas in Afar, Benshangul/Gumuz, Somali, and Central Ethiopia regions. During the sixth general election in 2021, voting in a number of constituencies in these regions was canceled due to irregularities — such as issues over the printing of ballot papers⁵Negasa Desalegn, Shewaye Legesse, Azeb Tadesse, ‘Elections in Benshangul/Gumuz region,’ DW Amharic, 26 April 2024 and insecurity. Elections were not held in several areas in Benshangul/Gumuz region due to these issues. Hence, the region has been governed by a regional government elected in 2015 after a number of delays. Eight parties are expected to run in the upcoming election in this region, including the Benishangul People’s Liberation Movement, Gumuz People’s Democratic Movement (GPDM), Boro Democratic Party, Ethiopian Citizens for Social Justice, Enat Party, and the ruling party, Prosperity Party.⁶Negasa Desalegn, Shewaye Legesse, Azeb Tadesse, ‘Elections in Benshangul/Gumuz,’ DW Amharic, 26 April 2024

Violence in Benshangul/Gumuz region has reduced significantly since October 2022, when a peace deal was signed between the regional government and the GPDM. In December 2022, a deal was also signed between the government and the Benishangul People’s Liberation Movement.⁷Addis Standard, ‘News: Benishangul Gumuz region signs peace agreement with second rebel group, deal signed in Sudan,’ 12 December 2022 While the 2021 election occurred during a period of heightened violence throughout the country, violence targeting polling locations, voters, or electoral officials was minimal. It is not expected that the upcoming election in these remaining constituencies will spark violence.