Ethnic cleansing against Oromo people in Wollo Zone of Amhara region in Ethiopia
Advocacy for Justice for the Oromo People (AJOP) is seriously concerned about the atrocities committed to the Oromo people by Amhara Special Force and Fano (an illegal Amhara ethnic based Armed Force).
On Sunday night the 21st of March, Amhara state forces and Fano (an illegal Amhara ethnic based militia) murdered Oromo children, mothers elderly and religion leaders in Wollo, Ataye city. The following day there was a help call from the victims for federal forces to take control of the situation before more lives were lost but the federal government failed to intervene knowing that the violent attacks on Wollo Oromos were ethnic motivated.
Following this, the internet and telephone services were shut down in Ataye town after Amhara state special forces and Fano declared war against the Oromo people in the Oromia Special Zone in Wollo. The Oromo people in Jile Dumuga and Artuma Fursi districts were in darkness for couple of days because the Amhara regional state cut off their electric power supply and water supplies. Most areas under Kemise administration are war zone, dead people reported everywhere and no federal intervention despite continues calls. It has been reported that the most intense and deadly violence occurred in; Ataye, Wasan Qurqur, Alala, Cheffa Robit, Qallo, Chirri and Majete, villages. There is evidence to confirm that Eritrean forces are involved in the killings.
The violent attack continued by Amhara state forces and Fano, and set on fire to houses , victims belongings, places of worships, bridges for example the bridge in Dawa Chefa district destryoed, and schools .They hit with projectile from distance. In Jilee Dhummuugaa Woreda, Wasan Qurqur village was completely burned down to ashes by Amhara militias. The names of Wollo Oromo villages that were completely burned down by Amhara militia are: from Jile Tumuga Woreda; Wasanqurqur, Balchi,Mudhii Facha’a, Awlaal, Izigiye, Allala, and Arbaa Wayu, from Artuma fursi Woreda; Chiri,Coqorso,Dimtu and Diido, from Dawa Chef;. Orta village.
Amhara state forces and Fano also massacred Oromos in Yifat Hospital, in Shewa Robi, while receiving treatment in the hospital, the total of 12 people were murdered inside the hospital. The Amhara militia even refused to hand-in the dead bodies for burial. It has been established that after killing Oromo farmers, they cut their genitals and hands and then took that with them as trophies.
Two representatives of the victims to the Ethiopian parliament, on 11th regular Ethiopian parliament meeting conformed that perpetrators are Amhara special forces. They requested an independent body to investigate this and an immediate action to be taken by the federal government1. But no action taken so far towards this.
The Ethiopian Human Rights Collation also reports that flocks of Oromo IDP’s arrive to a town called Korkoro after losing their houses burnt and livestock looted by the Amhara forces.2
Currently the people in Wollo, Oromia Special Zone, are in greater danger. They are under attack by the Amhara special forces, Fano and the Eritrean forces. We fear that this extends to other parts of the country and inspire unreversible chaos. We therefore request your good office urgently:
- to put necessary pressure on Ethiopia prime minster and condemn the ethnic cleansing by Amhara militia and Eritrean forces, vehemently.
- Organise an independent body to investigate and take actions on the perpetrators
- Provide humanitarian support and rehabilitation for the victims
1 https://www.facebook.com/100001780279030/videos/3746321275437178/
2 . https://www.facebook.com/EthiopianHRC/videos/628505571757447/
AJOP
28/03/2021