Ethiopia Weekly Update (3 December 2024)

Situation summary

A rare attack was recorded in South West Ethiopia Peoples region that killed at least 20 civilians, including a kebele administrator. In Oromia region, a peace deal was signed between the government and a faction of the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA) — referred to by the government as the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF)-Shane — amid ongoing clashes.

Rare attack leaves 20 dead in South West Ethiopia Peoples region 

In a rare occurrence, last week, Majangir ethnic militias attacked and reportedly killed at least 20 civilians in Shekibido kebele in Andracha woreda in Sheka woreda, South West Ethiopia Peoples region. According to local residents, the perpetrators crossed into Sheka zone from the neighboring Majang zone of Gambela region, attacking farmers and civil servants. The head of the Shekibido kebele was among those killed.¹Shawangezew Wagayehu, Shawaye Lgese, and Tsehay Chane, ‘Andaracha residents’ concerns,’ 29 November 2024 Federal police have taken control of the area to prevent additional attacks. 

South West Ethiopia Peoples region was created on 23 November 2021, when it broke away from the former Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples region. Despite a history of political turbulence among the many ethnic communities that make up the region, the area is relatively peaceful. 

Peace deal signed in Oromia region

On 1 December, the Oromia regional government signed a peace agreement with Sanyi Nagasa, the former central zone commander of the OLA/OLF-Shane who announced his separation from the main OLA/OLF-Shane leadership in October. The regional government heralded the deal as a result of its “call for peace” initiative to bring armed groups to the negotiating table.²Facebook@OromiaBC, 1 December 2024 In contrast, the spokesperson for the main OLA/OLF-Shane leadership denounced the peace agreement as “a joke,” once again discounting Sanyi Nagasa as a disgraced former member who had been dismissed from his role.³VOA Amharic, ‘The Oromia Regional State Government announced that it has reached a peace agreement with the OLF war leader,’ 1 December 2024 Official OLA/OLF-Shane statements deny any ongoing peace discussions with the federal or regional governments.⁴Ashenafi Endale, ‘Oromia says peace talks with OLA in progress, claims facilitating Tanzania negotiations,’ The Reporter, 30 November 2024

Sanyi Nagasa expressed his interest in negotiating a peace deal soon after announcing he had splintered from the main leadership. However, hopes that the central commander’s willingness to negotiate would result in a reduction of violence were quickly squashed after fighting resumed in the area following a brief lull in activity. The OLA/OLF-Shane’s central command, under Sanyi Nagasa’s control, includes the North Shewa zone — consistently the most violent zone in Oromia since May 2023. 

Meanwhile, fighting and violence targeting civilians continued in the region unabated. Government forces announced operations targeting the OLA/OLF-Shane in East Wollega, South West Shewa, West Shewa, and West Guji zones. In Shirka woreda, Arsi zone, suspected OLA/OLF-Shane fighters reportedly shot and killed nine civilians after abducting them and several others from their houses. An additional three civilians were reportedly killed by OLA/OLF-Shane forces during the last week. Some residents said the attack targeted Christians.⁵BBC Amharic, ‘Victims’ families said nine people were killed by gunmen in Oromia region’s Arsi Zone,’ 29 November 2024 Attacks targeting Christian groups in Arsi zone occur frequently (for more on these attacks, see Ethiopia Weekly Update (20 August 2024) and EPO Weekly: 25 November-1 December 2023). From 1 November 2023 to 29 November 2024, ACLED records nine similar attacks with 48 reported fatalities in Arsi zone.