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According to news reports based on eyewitnesses, more than 50 people were killed, many after being arrested and killed, while houses were burned down and livestock were stolen, in attacks on three villages that are generally considered ethnically motivated. .
The rebel Oromo Liberation Army (OLA) is reportedly blamed for Sunday’s attacks in Oromia state, a dissident militia from the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF), an opposition party that returned from exile after the election. from the Nobel Peace Prize winning president. Abiy Ahmed, in 2018.
The civilians targeted were mainly children, women and the elderly, who were reportedly members of the Amhara ethnic group.
The Oromo and Amhara reportedly make up nearly two-thirds of Ethiopia’s population.
Since coming to power, President Abiy has freed political prisoners, legalized some previously banned opposition groups, and promoted peace with neighboring Eritrea, leading to challenges to his government and increased ethnic tensions.
In June, widespread violence broke out following the death of a prominent Oromo singer, who was shot to death in the capital Addis Ababa. Hundreds of people were killed and arrested, and Amhara civilians were among minorities allegedly targeted in the Oromia region.
‘Serious concern’
“The Secretary-General expresses his deep concern over reports of recent acts of violence between communities and attacks against civilians in Ethiopia,” said the statement issued on behalf of the UN chief, António Guterres.
“It expresses its deepest condolences to the families of the victims and wishes a speedy recovery to the injured.”
The Secretary General called for the perpetrators to be brought to justice and “calls on all interested parties to take urgent action to defuse tensions in the country and resolve challenges through an inclusive and peaceful dialogue,” the release.
Mr. Guterres reiterated the UN’s commitment to “support the Government in its efforts to ensure a stable and prosperous Ethiopia, which will further strengthen peace and sustainable development in the Horn of Africa.”
