At least 60 Orthodox Christians have been killed in two “brutal and merciless massacres” in central Ethiopia.
The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church’s Holy Synod said Monday that 14 people were killed in Merti district on 20 October, and a further 46 in Shirka district four days later. Both districts are located in Oromia’s Arsi Zone, named after a clan of the Oromo, who inhabit in the area.
More than 20 people were seriously wounded and 20 homes burned down in the attacks, according to the church. It said that the killings violated constitutional protections for religious freedom and the right to life and called on authorities to prevent further violence.
‘Provoking’ religious conflict
Oromia regional government spokesperson Hailu Adugna pointed blame at the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA) – accusing the rebels and their allies of attempting to provoke ethnic and religious conflict to get attention away from military losses.
However, he provided no evidence supporting the accusations.
Adugna expressed sorrow over the deaths and destruction and said that regional authorities had started taking action against those responsible. He pledged assistance to people wounded or displaced by the attacks.
The OLA could not be reached for comment. Back in February, its leader Kumsa Dirba, also known as Jaal Maroo, said its war was not “against the people”.
The OLA is one of seven groups in the Ethiopian Peoples’ Forces Alliance for Survival, formed in September with the aim of removing Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s government. Other members include the Tigray People’s Liberation Front and the Amhara Fano National Movement.
OLA accused of killings
UN investigators have previously accused the OLA of killings, rapes and kidnappings. Human rights monitors have also documented abuses by government forces, including indiscriminate drone strikes, extrajudicial killings and disappearances.
Sarah Kimani, Amnesty International’s media manager, told reporters back in January that the organization’s research documents summary executions, torture, abductions and rape by both government forces and the OLA.
She said that internet blackouts and restrictions on independent media and civil society concealed the extent of civilian suffering.
“What we have been able to document now is just the tip of the iceberg,” Kimani said.
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