Ethiopia Weekly Update (16 July 2024)

Situation summary

Civilians continue to be affected by ongoing insecurity in Oromia and Amhara regions related to anti-government insurgencies. Meanwhile, Somaliland soldiers begin training in Ethiopia, increasing tensions.

Security developments in Oromia region

Clashes between the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA) — referred to by the government as the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF)-Shane — and the Ethiopian National Defense Force (ENDF) were reported at lower levels last week, with fighting recorded in East, West, and Horo Guduru Wollega zones. Last week, tensions concerning the kidnapping of over 100 students the week prior remained high as OLA/OLF-Shane and the government traded blame. The Oromia regional government said it had freed 160 of the 167 kidnapped students.¹Gelmo Dawit, ‘“We have released most of the kidnapped students” Oromia Regional Government,’ VOA Amharic, 12 July 2024 However, according to the families of the victims, most of the students remained in custody of the kidnappers, who are asking for between 500,000 and 1 million birr (between $8,000 and $17,000 US dollars) for their release.²BBC Amharic, ‘It has been more than 10 days since the students were kidnapped for which 500 thousand to 1 million birr was demanded,’ 12 July 2024 OLA/OLF-Shane denied being responsible and accused government forces, local cadres, and unemployed youth for kidnapping the students.³BBC Amharic, ‘It has been more than 10 days since the students were kidnapped for which 500 thousand to 1 million birr was demanded,’ 12 July 2024 Kidnapping and general insecurity have become a major problem in Oromia region over the past few years⁴Fred Harter, ‘This is a pandemic’: Ethiopia’s Oromia region gripped by surge in kidnappings,’ The Guardian, 23 January 2024 (for more, see the EPO Weekly: 14-20 October 2023 and EPO Weekly: 21-27 October 2023). Nevertheless, security appears to have improved in certain areas, and regular flights have been landing at a new airport in Nekemte, East Wollega zone, where Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed held a rally in May.⁵Fana, ‘Nekemte Airport Begins Flight Service In Attendance Of High Officials,’ 16 June 2024 Flights resumed to Dembi Dolo in February.⁶Abdi Biyenssa, ‘Is Western Oromia Returning to Normalcy?,’ Addis Standard, 28 June 2024

Skirmish in Amhara region

In Amhara region, fighting between the ENDF and Fano militias continued unabated despite the efforts of a newly created peace committee. Clashes were reported in ​​North Shewa, South Gondar, North Wello, Awi, Central Gondar, North Gondar, South Wello, West Gojam, and East Gojam zones — according to both government and anti-government sources. 

Meanwhile, also in Amhara region, Sudanese refugees continued to face violent attacks by armed groups. Two attacks, one near the Kumer camp in West Gondar zone and a second along a road between Shahidi and Gondar in Central Gondar zone, were recorded on 5 and 9 July, respectively. Violence targeting Sudanese refugees sparked large protests in camps near the border starting in May. On 6 July, Sudanese refugees protested in Metema woreda in West Gondar zone, demanding the release of a fellow refugee who had been kidnapped by unidentified gunmen a day earlier. In May, the Ethiopian government promised to improve safety and security conditions for the refugees.⁷Nafisa Eltahir, ‘Attacks leave Sudanese refugees stranded in Ethiopian forest,’ Reuters, 7 June 2024

Somaliland soldiers arrive in Somali region

Thousands of Somaliland soldiers arrived in Ethiopia’s Somali region for military training, an apparent continuation of tighter cooperation between the two parties since they signed a memorandum of understanding in January. On 4 April, Somalia expelled Ethiopia’s ambassador and recalled its ambassador from Addis Ababa amid tensions surrounding the agreement.