Ethiopia Weekly Update (1 October 2024)

Situation summary

Despite a reported fracture amongst commanding members of the Oromo Liberation Army  — referred to by the government as the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF)-Shane — ACLED does not record an increase in violence in Oromia region last week. Meanwhile, battles slightly increased in Amhara region. However, overall political violence decreased by 21% compared to the previous week.

OLA/OLF-Shane fractures, continued violence in Oromia region

In Oromia region, a commanding member of the OLA/OLF-Shane executive committee and former commander of the central zone announced a split from the main OLA/OLF-Shane command. In a media briefing given by phone, the commanding officer Jal Sanyi Nagasa told reporters that his group was ready to pursue a peaceful method to stop ongoing fighting in Oromia region.¹VOA Amharic, ‘The senior member of the Oromo Liberation Army, Jal Sanyi Negasa, has announced that he has separated from the organization,’ 27 September 2024 The OLA/OLF-Shane official public relations office later denied the split, indicating that Jal Sanyi had been dismissed from the group’s leadership several months earlier.²Addis Standard, ‘News: OLA denies split following reports of Central Zone Command defection,’ 30 September 2024 

Violence continued during the week in Oromia region, with violence targeting civilians in several locations reported. In East Shewa zone, unidentified gunmen targeted an Orthodox Christian Church priest and his family, reportedly killing five people. Various actors, including OLA/OLF-Shane, have been conducting sporadic attacks on Orthodox Christians in Oromia region since 2018. The last time such attack was reported was on 25 August, when suspected OLA/OLF-Shane soldiers killed a civilian and allegedly burned an Orthodox church in Dera woreda, North Shewa zone, forcing many Christian civilians to temporarily flee their homes (for more on religion-based violence in Ethiopia, see the EPO Monthly: April-May 2022 and EPO Monthly: February 2023). 

Meanwhile, government forces were likewise accused of perpetrating violence against civilians, including killing two civilians in Gudetu Kondole woreda and one civilian in Begi town in West Wollega zone, on the grounds that they were supporting the OLA/OLF-Shane. 

Battles continue in Amhara region

In Amhara region, fighting between Fano militias and the Ethiopian National Defense Force (ENDF) was reported last week in ​​East Gojam, North Wello, North Shewa, West Gojam, and North Gondar zones. Government sources reported that the ENDF had taken military action against Fano targets in Dabat in North Gondar zone, and in Bichena, Shebel, Mertule Mariam, and Gindewoin towns in East Gojam zone. Clashes intensified in North and Central Gondar zones two weeks ago, with Fano militias entering major towns. A peace council, established in June with the goal of bringing Fano militias and the government to the negotiation table,  has thus far failed to fulfill its mission. The council has cited a lack of trust between the warring parties as a main challenge.