Falls Church, Virginia (11/22/2021)
OLLAA is gravely concerned about the recent report by BBC Afaan Oromoo regarding an attack by Amhara militias on civilians in Nonno district, West Shewa zone, Oromia on November 19, 2021. OLLAA expresses our profound sympathy and support for the victims who were killed or injured in the attack and their families, and calls on the international community to pressure the Ethiopian government to fully investigate these attacks and to ensure that all perpetrators are held accountable.
According to the BBC, on the morning of November 19th Amhara militias attacked civilians in Nonno district, West Shewa zone, killing at least 23 civilians, and wounding others. It was also reported that villagers’ houses were set on fire during the attack and other property, including livestock, was destroyed. Reportedly, the Amhara militias perpetrated these attacks as an act of revenge after the OLA killed members of Amhara militias operating inside Amhara in recent months.
Although full details of the events that transpired in Amhara and West Shewa zone remain unclear, OLLAA expresses its profound sympathy and support for those victims who were killed or injured in the attacks, and condemns any attacks or acts of violence committed against innocent civilians as an act of revenge for conflicts between armed groups. We note that the Ethiopian government has a duty to protect civilians and fully and impartially investigate these crimes and ensure that the perpetrators are held accountable.
OLLAA also calls on the international community to respond to these acts of violence perpetrated against civilians in Nonno district, including by issuing statements publicly condemning such needless acts of violence, and taking action to ensure that the individuals responsible for this attack are held accountable. The international community should consider launching independent investigations into these allegations, as well as all other allegations of human rights abuses perpetrated against civilians throughout Ethiopia.
OLLAA is an umbrella organization that represents dozens of Oromo communities around the world.