Throughout the month of March 2023, the Ethiopian National Defense Force (ENDF) as well as members of the Oromia Special Forces (OSF) and Amhara Regional Special Forces continued their widespread campaign of violence and brutality against the Oromo people in Ethiopia.
The below list highlights the 14 Oromo civilians confirmed by OLLAA or through mass media reports as having been extrajudicially killed in March 2023, all at the hands of these government forces. It is important to note that this list is an incomplete accounting of those killed extrajudicially in March 2023 as it does not include victims of mass murder, those whose names are unknown, or whose reported deaths OLLAA’s staff was unable to verify independently by the time of publication. It is likely the true number of extrajudicial killings is much greater than the number reported below.
Confirmed Extrajudicial Executions in March 2023
- March 1
- Wayesa Wadera and Nikawata (East Guji, Bore, Bore)
- March 6
- Musa Said (East Shewa, Bosat, Fantale)
- March 8
- Adugna (West Wollega, Begi, Belle)
- Tayiba and Ashaa (West Wollega, Begi, Qama cidhi)
- March 15
- Adem Mohamad (Wallo, Dawa Arawa, Bora)
- March 19
- Guyo (Borena, Arero, Arero)
- Hawaso Metole (East Shewa, Fantale, Kara)
- March 23
- Workine Beka (West Shewa, Ambo, Dike)
- March 24
- Gobu Hawile (East Shewa, Fantale, Kawa)
- March 25
- Emawe Tilahun, Tsegaye Dase and Sukare Gizaw (North Shewa, Wara Jarso, Jarso)
In light of these atrocities, OLLAA calls on the Ethiopian government to establish independent investigations into all credible reports of right-to-life violations, thus fulfilling its moral imperative, as well as its legal duty, to protect and defend the human rights and security of all of its citizens. Further, OLLAA beseeches the international community to strongly condemn these ongoing brutal attacks and to launch independent investigations into the reports of human rights violations and acts of injustice against the Oromo people in Ethiopia. In the name of peace and justice, we call on all parties to act swiftly.