Civilian Killings Cannot Warrant Victory

 Civilian Killings Cannot Warrant Victory

While Ethiopia's conflict and misery on civilians in the northern part of the country is known to the world, the atrocities in Oromia are effectively hidden; and the world chose silence. Engagements between government forces and the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA) are growing from time to time, the latter getting to the level of battling for the district towns and coming closer to bigger cities.

In the name of eradicating the liberation armed force the government's regular forces and Amhara Fano and Amhara Regional State's militias and Special Forces have regularly invaded several districts (woredas) and kebeles of Western Oromia, especially Horro Guduru and East Wallaga zones. One is encouraged to remember our press release regarding the killings of more than 63 innocent civilians around Agamsa town on August 30 2022, and the slaughtering of 31 civilians at Bune Abuna and Gudina Abuna on September 3, 2022, by Fano, Federal Forces and Amhara Regional State Special Forces.

To make matters worse, from September 22, 2022 to September 26, 2022, Amhara Regional Forces and Fano perpetrated another barbaric cruelty against the civilians. In a well-coordinated military onslaught, they slaughtered more than 100 civilians in Jardaga Jarte and Amuru Districts at places called Kiltu Cheka, Haroo Waloo, Tombee, Dangab, Haro Guddina and Darge Koticha. The same atrocities are ruthlessly conducted in Amuru District at specific places such as Agamsa Town, Migir, Sammoo,Waasitti, Luma’a, Jawaja, Jaboo Doobban, Chidhatti, Gobuu, Nyaaree, Makkannoo, Shookee and Damgaab Siiddan. In Kiramu District at Haro sub-disrtrict (kebele) similar atrocities took place. The invading Amhara Special Force supported by thousands of armed civilians in traditional war drum and trumpets were mobilized by Federal Forces and Amhara Militias. Locals and survivors clearly depict how Federal Government's security forces, Amhara Regional State Special Forces and Fano have carried out a well-coordinated attack against the helpless civilians, including the elderly, women and children. Targeting and mass-killings of one particular national, namely the Oromo, to wipe them out of their land are genocidal or a crime against humanity. Though this project is futile, the government has effectively succeeded in pitting one people against the other. Yet the consequences are hard to imagine. The OLF has repeatedly warned the Ethiopian peoples and the international community on this issue.

These endless atrocities against unarmed innocent civilians have now reached their ugliest stage. So far, the government's reckless military operation could not get to the level it aimed at. It only exacerbated civilian death, destruction of property, displacement and suffering. Recruiting under aged school children is a criminal act; but it has become the rule in Ethiopia. The military approach has never solved any form of conflict in Ethiopia; however, it has become the culture for successive Ethiopian regimes. Obviously, this regime is going to terribly lose the game after consuming hundreds of thousands of lives.

The OLF would like to remind again the Oromo in particular those repeatedly targeted in Horro Guduru Zone to defend their children and property as they are left with no option. The government has violated its own constitution and international law arrogantly. We also call up on all stakeholders to protect unarmed civilians and their property without any discrimination based on religion and or nationality. Unarmed civilians must be protected and their safety assured.

OLF also expresses its dismay towards the international community's silence and passivity while such despicable human suffering and death are recorded daily in Oromia. Oromia has now become another theatre of human suffering and death. International communities and governments have the duty and responsibility to speak against these atrocious acts of the Ethiopian government forces to discharge their responsibilities as signatories of several human rights protection instruments. One should be reminded of the international community's lack of appropriate action and inaction regarding the process that led to genocides in other countries.

Oromo Liberation Front

Finfinnee

September 2022