As the ethnic onslaught continues upon Oromia, civilians continue to face extrajudicial executions at the hands of security forces. May was a bloody month for the Oromo people, with 35 reported civilian deaths at the hands of Ethiopian security forces, reproduced below. Security forces often accuse civilians who they have killed without due process of law of having been a member of the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA) or being related with or otherwise connected to members of the OLA, despite such connections often being tenuous at best.
It should be noted that those individuals listed below are only those whose deaths have been made public through the media, and does not include those mass executions that have occurred or other incidents which have gone unreported. It seems likely that the actual number of civilians killed is much higher. For example, in early May, the OFC released a statement claiming that 298 civilians had been killed by government forces in the past few months alone.
Below is a list containing the dates and names of individuals who were killed by security forces and special forces during the month of May:
- May 1st – Cara Eliyas Balcha (Jimma Horo District, Qellam Wollage);
- May 6th – Negasa Tolesa (Haru tiro Ambo District, West Shewa Zone), Kesahun Diribsa (Gomosa seto Ambo District, West Shewa Zone), Roba Tekeba (from Yerar Anfilo District, Qellam Wollage Zone), Getachew Kisi, and Genet Birri (Kachisi Gindeberat District, West Shewa Zone);
- May 10th – Giduma Tebesa, Misgena Hirko, and Ilfe Feyisa (Seto luku, Ilfeta District, West Shewa);
- May 11th – Jawar Aliyi Ibraahim, Mommad Zakkoo, and Ibsa Ibrahim Abdulla (Oda Bultum District, East Hararge Zone), Sicale Jifar, Zelalam Abera, Abraham Tiksa, and Muleta Buka (Qare Dobi Gindeberat District, West Shewa Zone);
- May 13th – Lamessa Waktole and Worku Wakjira (Dibate District, Metekel Zone);
- May 18th – Kefyalew Abebe (Galesa Town, West Shewa Zone);
- May 21st – Nuna Benti (Dendi District, West Shewa Zone) and Mohammed Adem Musa (Chineneksan, East Hararge zone);
- May 22nd – Adungna Qadida and Lata Kifulu (Gimbii District, West Wollega);
- May 23rd – Jambo Qumbi (Boset District, East Shewa Zone), Jebessa Likisa, Fikedu Xaso, Dhugasa Taye, Lalisa Bersisa, and Lelisa Yigazu (Iluu Galan District, West Shewa), Nachitu Wayessa Ballis, Magarse Tolera Garba, Bokora Ayansa (Kiremu District, East Wollegga Zone);
- May 24th – Chachu Notee (Gooroo Doola District, Gujii Zone), Aagaasa Gobana, and Rabuma Yadasa Gobana (Ilu Gelan District, West Shewa Zone).
OLLAA continues to condemn the killing of citizens by Ethiopian State agents, especially during this human rights and humanitarian crisis. Further OLLAA calls on the international community to condemn these killings, and support those impacted from this violence. As the violence continues within the region, OLLAA appeals to the international community to consider launching independent investigations into these reports of human rights violations and injustices.