Ethiopia Weekly Update (10 September 2024)

Situation summary

A kidnapping incident led to violence, resulting in reported civilian fatalities in Gondar city, Amhara, as fighting continued elsewhere in the region. In Central Ethiopia region, the surge of violence led to the deployment of federal forces. Meanwhile, clashes between the OLA/OLF-Shane and government forces have reduced.

Security forces use force against protesters in Gondar

In Amhara region, Gondar city, the kidnapping of a 2-year-old girl on 30 August, and the subsequent killing of the victim on 2 September by an unidentified armed group, sparked a protest in Gondar city. Thousands of demonstrators gathered to denounce the killing and express outrage.¹VOA Amharic, ‘The murder of a 2-year-old child taken by kidnappers in Gondar city sparked outrage,’ 3 September 2024 Protesters clashed with Amhara state police and kebele militias, who opened fire, fatally shooting at least four protesters, with some sources claiming that as many as 25 protesters were killed.²Borkena, ‘Tragedy in Gondar as gov’t forces fire and shot peaceful protestors,’ 2 September 2024

Authorities in Gondar city blamed “forces that do not want peace and security” in the city for the kidnapping attack, and announced the arrest of 49 suspects.³Gondar City Communications, ‘It was announced that efforts are being made to establish the rule of law by controlling the criminals who kidnap and kill people in Gondar city,’ 3 September 2024 Security officials in Gondar indicated that 64 kidnapping incidents had occurred in Gondar over the past year, adding that arrests of some security force members had occurred in connection to kidnapping cases.⁴BBC Amharic, ‘What is the reason for the abductions and killings that are rocking Gondar? Who does it?,’ 6 September 2024 In a report released on 3 September, the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission said it had found that a breakdown of security and governance structures as a result of prolonged conflicts in Amhara and Oromia regions had led to attacks targeting civilians, both by parties to the conflict and by criminal elements.⁵Ethiopian Human Rights Commission, ‘Amhara, Oromia: The government should stop the widespread kidnap of people and ensure accountability,’ 3 September 2024 Kidnapping for ransom has become a major issue in the country. In July, 100 students were kidnapped by armed men in an area near the Oromia and Amhara regional borders. 

Meanwhile, clashes continued between Fano militias and security forces in Amhara region, with fighting reported in Central Gondar, West Gondar, West Gojam, East Gojam, North Shewa, and North Wello zones. Fano forces clashed with security forces on 1 September in and around Metema town in West Gondar zone — located at the border with Sudan. On 2 September, the group briefly took control of several areas before being driven from the town by federal forces on 3 September. The two conflicting parties continue to fight on 5 September. Clashes in Metema and its environs have disrupted the Galabat border crossing, which was closed by Sudan when the clash erupted.⁶Sudan Tribune, ‘Sudan closes Ethiopia border after Fano militia seizes town,’ 2 September 2024 

ENDF members deployed as violence persists in Central Ethiopia region

Violence in connection with the dispute between Meskan and Mareko ethnic groups over the ownership of nine kebeles continued last week, prompting the Ethiopian National Defense Forces (ENDF) to deploy troops to the area. From 30 August to 1 September, 12 civilians were reportedly killed, but it is unclear who killed them. Seven of these civilians were killed in Mareko Special woreda, while five others were killed in Inseno town in Misrak Meskan woreda. A few days earlier, on 27 August, members of the Meskan ethnic militia who came from East Meskan woreda shot and killed seven ethnic Mareko civilians and wounded four others in Dida Halebo kebele in Mareko Special woreda.

Last week, Central Ethiopia Regional President Endeshaw Tasew said the government was taking various measures to stop the violence in this area, including arresting officials involved in this conflict. He also stated that the regional government would make its decision to resolve the conflict in the Ethiopian new year, which is being celebrated today.⁷SNNPRS Radio and Television Agency, ‘The head of the region, Mr Endeshaw Tasew, announced that action is being taken against the forces that are trying to disrupt the peace of the Central Ethiopia region,’ 31 August 2023 

Political violence eases in Oromia region

In Oromia region, clashes between the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA)  — referred to by the government as the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF)-Shane —  and security forces continued to decrease, marking a positive trend in the region. Confrontation between these two actors has decreased since April. No official peace talks have been announced since two failed attempts last year, and there is no indication that the conflict will end anytime soon. 

Despite a reduction in clashes between the OLA/OLF-Shane and government forces, violence against civilians in the region still occurs sporadically due to ethnic-based attacks in areas where Amhara civilians are present in high numbers. For example, two weeks ago, violence, including violence against civilians, surged in Dera woreda, North Shewa zone, as a result of battles between the OLA/OLF-Shane and Fano militias.