Ethiopian security forces brutally killed two mothers, Jemila Gemeda Dido and Isnino Mako Saketa. Dido’s 9-year-old son and Saketa’s 1-year old child were also killed in the attack in Guji Zone, Wadera Woreda, at Hanchoka Boko district. The women were two of Abiyo Gare Galmo’s four wives.
The Oromo Liberation Army (OLA) has been operating in this district for three years now. According to an OLLAA informant, as a result of the ongoing conflict between the OLA militants and Ethiopian security forces, the local community is desperate for peace.
Three days before these murders, there was a conflict between Ethiopian security forces and the OLA. However, the fight ended in a draw. Angry with the OLA militants, the Ethiopian security forces kept firing heavy weapons on the third day in different directions – despite there being no trace of the OLA forces in that area. Handoya Hanchoka was among the targeted areas. On that day, Isnino was breastfeeding her child and Jemila was also in the house with her son.
The home was hit by a heavy weapon (RPG Launcher) fired by Ethiopian security forces. Consequently, the house collapsed while they were inside: none of them came out alive.
This is a terrible tragedy for Abiyo Gare, who has lost two of his wives and two of his children at once. According to OLLAA’s informant, Ethiopian security forces are taking similarly reckless actions against the civilians of the area.
For further information, please read the exclusive report OLLAA released on 12 May 2023 by clicking on the following link: https://ollaa.org/between-a-rock-and-a-hard-place/.
International Law
Ethiopia is a signatory to numerous international human rights and humanitarian treaties, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the Four Geneva Conventions, and the FDRE Constitution. There are also basic principles of international humanitarian law with the status of customary international humanitarian law, such as:
- the distinction between civilians and combatants,
- the prohibition of attacks against those hors de combat,
- the prohibition on the infliction of unnecessary suffering,
- the principle of proportionality, and
- the notion of necessity.
Ethiopian security forces’ actions violate both the laws and the aforementioned core IHL principles. As a result, the Ethiopian government must be held accountable as a signatory state party.