Ethnic violence against Amaro Koore

This is part of the series of violence between minorities in the Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples' Region (SNNPR) and West Guji Zone of the Oromia regions, causing frequent attacks against ethnic Koore and other minorities in the Amaro special woreda and surroundings.[1][2][3] Ethiopian Human Rights Council underscored the increasingly frequent nature and spread of conflicts and security issues in the area and called for preventative measures.

Ethnic violence against Amaro Koore
Amaro is located in Ethiopia
Amaro
Amaro
Amaro (Ethiopia)
Duration1994–present
LocationAmaro woreda zone, Gedeo, West Guji, Ethiopia Ethiopia
TypeEthnic violence
  • Civilians and farmers killed and injured
  • Hundreds of IDPs
  • Homes burned down
  • Livestocks stolen
ThemeOngoing ethnic violence
CauseLand drawn along ethnic lines (Ethnic federalism)
MotiveDispute over administrative land, leadership and territory
Participants OLF or OLF-shene
Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples' Region Militants from various ethnic groups in SNNPR
Oromia regions
Deaths52+ killed, 15+ injured. Ongoing

Background and events of the conflict

This section lists the background on the frequent conflicts that occurred in disputed administrative lands shared between the SNNPR and Oromia regions, which is often referred to as West Guji.[4]

PeriodEvent and land administrationDescriptionDate
pre-1980sHistorical land occupation by the Guji and Koore peopleEviction of the Guji and Koore people by the State, annexation of their land to the Nechisar park in early 1980s [5]Historical
pre-1994Previous administration was under the Sidamo ProvinceOccasional interpersonal disputes were resolved with communal councils[4]Historical
During EPRDFThe start of Ethnic federalismAdministration of lands with ethnic lines. The Guji Oromo fell under the Oromia region, a portion of them inhabited areas of SNNPR. The Gedeo continued in SNNPR[4]1994
During EPRDFExpansion and disputes between SNNPRExpansion of the newly drawn Oromia regional state to the small zones in SNNPR that share bordersDuring EPRDF
During EPRDFReferendums and conflictClashes, killings and displacement[4]1995 to 1998
During EPRDFAmaro-Guji clashes13 people killed, houses burned down, over 400 IDPs29 July 2017[6]
During Prosperity PartyPolitical "superiority" of the Guji Oromo following the Oromo-led ruling in the countryClashes, killings and displacement[4]2018 onwards
During Prosperity PartyEconomic and political upper-hand of the Guji Oromo against Amaro, Gedeao and others in the conflict areasFrustration caused widespread conflict, killings and displacement[4]2018 onwards
During Prosperity PartyThe Gedeo-West Guji displacementOne million people displaced[4][7]April 2018
During Prosperity PartyAttack in AmaroOLF gunmen killed 2 farmers in Amaro[8][9]29 January 2019
During Prosperity PartyTemporary peace offer between the OLF and a Guji regional commanderWarring parties include the Amaro and Gadeo communities wth the Guji Oromo that get assistance from the OLF. OLF often collaborates with the federal troops or the Oromo Special Force (OSF)[4][10]January 2021
During Prosperity PartyDeadly attack on Amaro-Guji communal leaders6 people killed during communal leaders meeting in Gelana woreda[1][11]18 March 2021
During Prosperity PartyInstigation of violence by the Guji Oromo militiasViolence continued despite peace offering between OLF and a Guji regional commander[4]2021
During Prosperity PartyAggression of the OLF-SheneOLF-Shene claimed control of some territory in Guji[4]2021
During Prosperity PartyArmed group opened fire during a reconciliation meeting at Gelana, Amaro zone8 killed, 4 injured. OLF-Shene gunmen reported as suspect[4]9 March 2021
During Prosperity PartyAttack on Amaro2 farmers killed in the Kore Kebele, in the Amaro Zone by an armed group[4]29 March 2021
During Prosperity PartyAttack on Amaro1 farmer injured while he was asleep in the Gamule Kebele, in the Amaro Zone by an armed group[4]30 March 2021
During Prosperity PartyAttack on Amaro1 farmer killed in the Kejalo Kebele in Amaro Zone by armed group[4]31 March 2021
During Prosperity PartyAttack in the conflict areas11 people killed by militia group from Gelana and Suro Berguda Woreda of West Guji Zone[4]5-30 March 2021
During Prosperity PartyClash between the Koore and other militias5 killed, 15 injured. Armed clashes between the Koore militas members and the ENDF government forces with Derashe ethnic militias in Holte kebele in Derashe special woreda, and Buniti, Abulo, and Alfacho kebeles in the Amaro zone[11]June 2022
During Prosperity PartyOLF-Shene attacked Amaro3 Amaro farmers killed, 2 injured, and livestock stolen from 12 farmers [12]6 July 2022

References

See also