Escalating conflict in Oromia’s Darra district exposes women, children to gender-based violence; displaced households left without livelihoods

 For years, the Darra district in the North Shewa Zone has been a hotspot of conflict within the Oromia region.

The district has been hit by waves of violence involving government forces and armed groups operating in both neighboring Amhara and Oromia regional states.

According to a recent report , the conflict in Darra has claimed the lives of at least 43 civilians since July 2024.

The recent brutal beheading of a young man in Darra, which has sparked widespread outrage, serves as further evidence of the ongoing instability and escalating violence in the district.

However, the violence in Darra is not a new phenomenon. For years, residents have expressed growing concern over the deteriorating security situation and have repeatedly called for urgent intervention by authorities to restore peace and protect civilians.

The conflict in Derra has taken a particularly harsh toll on women and women-headed households, who face challenges such as killings, gender-based violence including rape, and displacement, incapacitating them from providing for their children.

Zewditu Terefe, 41, is among the many displaced individuals from Ganda Koro Barbare Kebele in the Darra district—a place where she was born, raised, married, and nurtured her five children.

Since their displacement, life has been unbearable for Zewditu and her family.

“More than a year has passed, but there’s no sign of us returning home,” she explained. “We currently live in a plastic shelter with no access to food, proper housing, or medical care.”

Her children, too, face bleak prospects.

“They’re out of school because there’s no temporary education center in Merhabete,” she said. “I live with anxiety and depression, constantly worrying about their future and our survival.”

Gadise Tolamariam, 37, from Jiru Dada Kebele in the Derra district, also faced a similar fate. Nearly two years ago, she was forcibly displaced from her home due to escalating attacks.

Now a mother of four, Gadise faces overwhelming challenges.

“I am struggling to feed my children, and my two youngest are suffering from malaria, but there’s no clinic to treat them. My daughter is also battling measles,” she explained. “We are relying on traditional medicine to cope, as there is no assistance from the government or humanitarian organizations.”

Neither the Oromia nor the federal government has provided a humanitarian response to the crisis in the Darra district or the region in general.

 The government must create a conducive environment for internally displaced people to receive humanitarian assistance from international and non-governmental organizations.

Furthermore the government must recognize the internally displaced people from the Darra district.

Human Right reports forced conscription, arbitrary detentions and extortion in Oromia with victims including minors as young as 11

 Rights Commission (EHRC) has reported cases of forced conscription and arbitrary detentions in Oromia Regional State, accusing regional authorities of engaging in unlawful practices, including extortion targeting civilians, with victims as young as 11.

The investigation, released on December 5, 2024, was conducted between November 13 and 29, 2024. The EHRC investigation focused on detention centers in Adama, Bishoftu, Jimma, and Shashamane. Evidence was collected from detainees, their families, and local government officials.

The commission revealed, “Individuals were detained against their will under the pretext of military recruitment, and in some cases, were held until families paid for their release.”

One family in Adama reported being asked to pay 30,000 birr for the release of their 16-year-old son, who had been detained while at work.

The investigation also uncovered the detention of minors under the pretense of military recruitment. In Shashemene, the EHRC identified 14 minors aged between 15 and 16, as well as one child as young as 11, among the 32 detainees interviewed. Two 15-year-old students recounted, “When leaving school, someone promised us 25,000 birr if we joined the military. We were then taken to a detention center in Halu district, where we were not allowed to leave.”

In Adama, extortion practices were also documented. A 15-year-old boy was detained while running errands and held in a storage facility until his family paid 20,000 birr. “They told us we had to pay, or our son would be sent for military training,” the boy’s mother told the commission.

The EHRC reported that families across Oromia were coerced into paying amounts ranging from 20,000 to 100,000 birr to secure the release of their relatives.

The commission found evidence of detentions violating Ethiopia’s constitutional guarantees under Article 17, which prohibits arbitrary detention, and international treaties prohibiting forced recruitment. Military recruitment regulations under Proclamation No. 1286/2015 require enlistment to be voluntary and restricted to individuals aged 18 to 24.

There is also similar allegations of forced conscription in Oromia, with security forces allegedly targeting youth and detaining individuals who refused to enlist. Families were reportedly coerced into paying large sums to secure the release of relatives or risk them being sent for military training.

A mother from Adama City recounted how her 17-year-old son was detained while street vending and told he would be “sent to a military training camp” unless she paid 30,000 birr. Similar reports from other areas described youth being “rounded up” and taken to training camps or unknown locations.

The EHRC also highlighted the involvement of local officials in unlawful detentions, noting that defense force personnel and regional administrators collaborated to meet recruitment quotas. “Evidence indicates that certain officials exploited military conscription processes for financial gain, coercing families into paying for releases,” the commission said.

Oromia regional government and the Ministry of Defense must release all unlawfully detained individuals and ensure recruitment processes are conducted transparently and in compliance with established regulations. “Future recruitment must fully respect human rights and adhere to the rule of law,”.

Dozens detained for months without court appearances in Oromia’s Horo Guduru Wollega over alleged ties to OLA; families report abuse

  More than 130 civilians have reportedly been detained for over seven months without court appearances at Obora Police Station in Amuru district in Horo Guduru Wollega Zone of the Oromia region on allegations of “having family ties with Oromo Liberation Army (OLA) members,” according to family members.

Debela Tesfaye, a resident of Nafuro Kebel in Amuru district, reported that his father, Tesfaye Beyana, and mother, Dosa Tolera, were among those detained.

According to Debela, his father, who has no knowledge of his son’s phone number or whereabouts, is a farmer with no political involvement. He noted that his parents have now been held for seven months without a court appearance.

Debela further shared that his mother, Dosa Tolera, was detained on 08 November, 2024, after militia members entered their home and initially “asked her to prepare food.” After she complied but could not provide additional food, the militia detained her, allegedly subjecting her to “offensive insults and physical abuse in front of her children” before transferring her to Obora Police Station, where she remains without court proceedings.

Debela expressed concern for his father’s health, describing how his father, who suffers from high blood pressure, was initially “denied access to medical assistance” when his condition worsened. 

Another resident, Dereje Tolosa, shared a similar account regarding his father, Tolosa Sori, who was detained on April 16, 2024, due to alleged ties between his son and the OLA.

Dereje described his 67-year-old father, a “peaceful resident with no political connections,” as being “beaten and mistreated” during his transfer to Obora Police Station, where he has been held for seven months without a court appearance. Dereje emphasized that his father has “no knowledge of his son’s current location” and added that his brother, as an adult, should be responsible for his own actions.

Dereje also reported that another detainee, Kena Tola, died in August 2024 from “severe injuries sustained during detention” and alleged denial of medical care.

Residents of Horo Guduru Wollega Zone have also faced forced conscription under “Gachana Sirna,” a regional militia recruitment system that reportedly required farmers to undergo militia training to access agricultural supplies. 

Rights group urges action after documenting 52 cases of enforced disappearances, arbitrary detentions

  Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has called for urgent action to ensure accountability and justice after documenting 52 cases of enforced disappearances and arbitrary detentions between July 2023 and October 2024, with detentions occurring in military camps and undisclosed locations outside Addis Abeba.

In a report released on 23 October 2024, the EHRC outlined cases from regions including Addis Abeba, and Oromia. The report detailed how individuals were taken from their homes or workplaces by security forces, often in unmarked vehicles and in the presence of witnesses.

According to the report, some detainees were moved from regular detention facilities to unofficial sites, even after court proceedings had started. Several individuals were reportedly transferred between locations, often blindfolded during transport.

“I was held in solitary confinement for 1 month and 20 days and saw around 60 other people detained in the same place,” said Mechemegeta Andualem, who was released in March 2024 after seven months in what he described as the “Russian Camp” military barracks.

The investigation uncovered a pattern of financial extortion, with some families reportedly paying large bribes to secure the release of detainees. The report highlighted instances where security officers, including one with the rank of major, demanded significant sums from detainees’ families.

The report further found that many detainees were held without formal charges and denied access to legal representation. Some described being confined in facilities lacking basic infrastructure, while others reported threats and physical abuse during interrogations.

Another former detainee, who requested anonymity, described being held in a 2×2 meter dark cell for 16 days without windows or lights, following his detention at Sar Bet Square. He was interrogated every two days regarding alleged links to opposition groups.

The report also documents the transfer of detainees to locations such as Awash Arba, where detainees faced extreme heat, insufficient food, and inadequate sleeping conditions. In several instances, families secured the release of detainees after making payments, often in remote areas.

One detainee reported being moved through multiple sites, including the Oromia Regional Office compound in Qera, and locations along the road to Mexico via Bulgaria Square, before reaching a final detention site.

The report indicates that the Commission’s repeated attempts to obtain responses from the Ministry of Defense regarding detentions in military facilities have been unsuccessful.

The Commission urged an end to the practice of holding individuals in unofficial detention centers, noting the lack of oversight and the inhumane conditions in these facilities.

These practices not only violate the human rights of the victims but also cause significant social and economic harm to their families.

Oromia's Guji zones ravaged by conflict, civilians trapped amid human rights abuses

 The Oromia region has been plagued by a militarized conflict for the past six years, with the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA) and federal as well as regional security forces locked in a protracted battle. Despite two rounds of peace talks to silence the guns, the conflict shows no signs of abating, leaving local communities caught in the crossfire and many displaced.

The Guji and West Guji zones have become the epicenter of this violence, bearing the brunt of severe human rights abuses and widespread destruction. These areas have suffered some of the heaviest consequences since the conflict began, with extrajudicial killings, sexual violence, and mass arrests becoming disturbingly common.

The human rights crisis in the region has been further exacerbated by the government’s decision in February 2023 to restructure administrative boundaries, leading to widespread unrest. This decision resulted in the creation of the East Borana zone from parts of the Guji, Bale, and Borana zones and ignited protests that were met with violent crackdowns by security forces.

A recent report by the Center for the Advancement of Rights and Democracy (CARD) highlights the extent of these violations.  According to the report, government forces have engaged in cycles of violence.

Amidst this violence, the toll on ordinary lives is deeply felt by those affected, as personal stories unveil the broader human rights violations that afflict the region.

One such story is that of Dureti Jirma, an 18-year-old student who has twice been a victim of this conflict. In December 2021, while walking home from school in the Goro Dola district ,a former district of Guji now part of East Borana zone, Dureti was assaulted by members of government forces. “They attacked me so violently that I lost consciousness,” she recalls. Local women found her and rushed her to a nearby hospital, where she received emergency treatment.

The trauma of the assault forced Dureti to halt her education for nearly a year as she struggled to recover physically and emotionally. With the support of family and hospital staff, she eventually resumed her studies in October 2022, determined to move forward.

However, sexual violence is one of many harrowing human rights abuses that residents of the Guji zones endure daily. Across the the Guji and west Guji zones, civilians endure a broader pattern of abuse, including arbitrary detentions and brutal interrogations.

The story of Jarso Wako (name changed), a 28-year-old lecturer at Bule Hora University and resident of West Guji, illustrates the impact of this conflict on ordinary citizens.

On  07 July , 2024, his life was upended when police officers surrounded his rented home in Bule Hora town. “Two officers came inside and called me outside. As soon as I stepped out, one slapped me, and the other kicked me,” he recalled. The officers dragged him to a waiting Land Cruiser and took him to a military camp at Bule Hora University.

At the camp, Jarso endured hours of interrogation and mistreatment. “They accused me of organizing protests and inciting unrest, but the charges were completely fabricated,” he explained. After the camp, he was transferred to the Bule Hora City police station, where he was held for two weeks in harsh conditions.

When his case finally reached the district court, the judge ordered his release due to a lack of evidence. However, the police ignored the ruling and transferred him to the West Guji zonal court, where the same charges were reviewed. Once again, the court ordered his release, but Jarso remained in detention for a total of 65 days before he was finally freed.

According to CARD’s report, arbitrary detentions like Jarso’s are common, particularly among the youth, who are often held without due process in overcrowded detention centers. The conflict has created a climate of fear, where anyone can be detained or mistreated at any moment.

Marga Fekadu, a human rights researcher and lecturer at Wolkite University, has spent years documenting these abuses. He describes the region as scarred by the conflict, with human rights violations woven into the fabric of daily life.

“The region has experienced multiple states of emergency, both official and unofficial, creating an atmosphere of constant fear and instability,” Marga noted.

He stressed that the suffering of those living in the Guji zones often goes unnoticed by the outside world. “The consequences are far-reaching, yet too often ignored,” he said, drawing attention to the silence surrounding the crisis.

The impact of the conflict, however, extends to entire communities that have been profoundly affected, with many towns and neighborhoods disrupted since the outbreak of violence.

Media association calls for release of journalists imprisoned for over two years without verdict

 The Ethiopian Mass Media Professionals Association has called on the authorities to release journalists imprisoned for over two years without verdict, while also urging for more actions to ensure a more open media environment in Ethiopia.

The association issued a press release after its newly elected executives visited Kaliti and Kilinto prison facilities in the capital Addis Abeba, where they met several detained journalists, some of whom the association confirmed to have been detained for over two years without verdict.

“While the journalists did not raise concerns about their treatment in prison, they expressed concerns over how they were arrested and regarding the handling of their cases at the court,” the statement noted, emphasizing the urgent need for their trials to be free of political interference.

Many journalists are experiencing imprisonment or exile due to the ongoing political crisis in the country, posing serious risks to their safety and professional freedom, the association stated, reaffirming its commitment towards the protection and professional autonomy of journalists working under challenging conditions.

In April last year, the association called on the government to “immediately release” all media professionals that are detained by security forces “without any legal procedure”, listing at least six journalists.

Ethiopia has been ranked as the third-worst country in Africa for imprisoning journalists in 2023, trailing behind Eritrea and Egypt, according to a report by the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ). 

Farmers in Oromia’s Horro Guduru Wollega zone struggle against forced conscription

 Before the start of the current harvesting season, Dechasa, a father of five, was preparing his land for planting crops to provide for his family.

However, events did not unfold as he had hoped.

One day, while returning from the local market with other vendors, he was stopped by the police for an identification check.

Dechasa recounted, “Out of the seven of us, the police detained five, leaving two women behind. We were then taken to Kombosha, a city in the Guduru district.”

He continued, “After three days there, we were transported to Shambu City, located in the Horro Guduru Wollega zone. Upon our arrival, we were informed that we had been conscripted for militia training.”

According to the farmer, the police initially claimed the training would last only a few weeks.

“However, that training was unexpectedly extended to two months,” he emphasized. “This entire ordeal occurred without my consent.”

Due to the prolonged time Dechasa was forced to remain in training, he highlighted that the land he had plowed and prepared for planting remained barren, with no crops sown.

 A human rights lawyer and researcher working for a local non-governmental organization that investigates human rights violations in the Horro Guduru Wollega Zone provided details about the implementation of Gachana Sirna at the grassroots level.

However, its correlation with human rights violations is particularly pronounced in Western Oromia, especially in the Horro Guduru Wollega Zone.

The human rights lawyer reported that farmers and youth who refuse to participate in Gachana Sirna and militia training face imprisonment, coercive training, denial of access to fertilizers and pesticides, torture while incarcerated, and exclusion from other government services.However, it is unlawful to coerce individuals into undergoing military training or to defend the ruling party. Those farmers who refuse to participate are denied access to fertilizers, pesticides, and other essential resources for their farming activities,

However, the lawyer emphasized that serious human rights violations are being committed in the Horo Guduru Wollega Zone under the pretext of implementing Gachana Sirna.

The lawyer urged the Oromia  government to address issues of maladministration and to protect the rights of farmers who are being coerced into militia training without their consent and pressured to exchange training for agricultural inputs such as fertilizers and seeds.