Ethiopia Weekly Update (29 October 2024)

Situation summary

Violent attacks on civilians surged in South Ethiopia region, with attacks reported in Konso zone. Meanwhile, clashes between the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA) — referred to by the government as the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF)-Shane — and kebele militias occurred in West Wollega zone, Oromia. 

Violent attacks surge in South Ethiopia region

Last week, in South Ethiopia region, an unidentified armed group killed at least two people and injured two others in Segen town, Konso zone.¹Addis Standard, ‘News: Armed attack in South Ethiopia’s Konso zone leaves two dead, two injured,’ 24 October 2024 The incident occurred amid worsening violence in nearby Amaro zone, also called Kore zone, since mid-September. It comes several months after an armed group clashed with local security forces and briefly controlled Segen town in August, prompting the deployment of federal soldiers. 

The conflict in areas surrounding Segen town and other areas of Konso zone emerged in 2011 and is rooted in decisions about administrative boundaries made by the regional government before the Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples region (SNNPR) was dissolved. In the years since, violence has occurred frequently, peaking in the spring of 2022. Despite efforts by both the federal and regional governments, including the newly formed regional government of the South Ethiopia region, the Konso and Segen Area Peoples conflict has continued. 

Meanwhile, in the nearby Amaro/Kore zone, insecurity has worsened over the past six weeks, with at least 15 civilians reported killed in Gorko woreda since the start of the Ethiopian New Year on 11 September. According to local administrators, OLA/OLF-Shane militants based in the nearby Oromia region are responsible for a number of cross-border attacks on farmers.²Negashi Mohamed, and Mantegafetot Seleshi, ‘People are being killed repeatedly in South Ethiopia’s Kore zone,’ 22 October 2024 This violence might be linked with territorial claims over administrative boundaries that have previously led to clashes involving the Gedeo ethnic group in Gedeo zone in South Ethiopia region, the Kore ethnic group in Amaro/Kore zone in South Ethiopia region, and Guji Oromos in West Guji zone in Oromia.

OLA/OLF-Shane attack targets kebele militias in Oromia region

In Oromia region, OLA/OLF-Shane militants attacked local security forces aligned with the government, usually referred to as kebele militias, in Begi woreda, West Wollega zone, on 16 October, sparking an armed clash. The attack came as the kebele militias were relocating from Begi to Ambilo Dila kebele as part of an ongoing administrative restructuring process in Oromia region.³Tsehay Damtew, ‘Residents said that civilians who did not participate in the conflict in West Wollega were killed,’ DW Amharic, 22 October 2024 At least two people were reportedly killed in the clash and several others were wounded. Following the clashes, government forces reportedly killed at least one civilian in Begi woreda, and one in Gudetu Kondole woreda, after accusing them of supporting the OLA/OLF-Shane. 

The OLA/OLF-Shane has frequently attacked kebele militias throughout the insurgency. Last week, a targeted attack in Jeldu woreda in West Shewa zone resulted in the death of at least 18 kebele militiamen. Sustained clashes in Oromia region have dimmed the possibility of peace talks following two unsuccessful rounds of attempted negotiations in 2023. Last week, government media reported clashes between the OLA/OLF-Shane and the Ethiopian National Defense Force in East Wollega, West Shewa, and Horo Guduru Wollega zones.