OLLAA has received credible reports of the killing of Kafalew Duri Bayisa, who our sources allege was the victim of an attack by the Amhara militia known as Fano in the Bone Abuna community in Horo Guduru Wollega on September 3, 2022. This follows another recent attack on civilians in Agamsa town in the Horo Guduru region that took place on August 30, 2022, and led to the deaths of at least 60 civilians and the displacement of 20,000 individuals.
OLLAA’s staff spoke with another victim of the attack as well as a close relative of the deceased, Kafalew Duri Bayisa, who were able to corroborate details of the attack.
According to his family member, Kafalew Duri Bayisa was a pastor at the Bone Abuna Evangelical Church in Horo Guduru, Wollega. Alongside his duties as a pastor, Kafalew was also a husband and father of five. His family recounted that he was a well-known and respected member of the community, in particular for his impactful church services and for the counseling he provided to the community. His family further reports that Pastor Kafalew had been preaching the Bible in Bone Abuna and the neighboring villages for more than 20 years.
As reported by our sources, the Bone Abuna community were suddenly attacked during the night of September 3 by individuals they claim were members of the armed group from the Amhara region known as Fano. Our witnesses recounted that the armed militants encircled the village during the night and attacked the residents, targeting the members of the Oromo community living in the area. They report that the armed attackers killed more than 20 people, extensively looted property, and stole more than 700 cattle in an already drought-affected region. These claims fit with the reports of looting and property destruction at the earlier attack in Agamsa town reported by the Addis Standard.
According to his family, Pastor Kafalew was shot to death inside the compound of his church. Tragically, his wife and children were unable to bury his body as they were forcibly displaced following the violence, joining thousands of others to have been displaced following a string of attacks by armed groups in the area.
International Law
Under international human rights laws, a government has the primary duty to respect and protect the rights of those who live under its jurisdiction. It is therefore the Ethiopian government’s duty to ensure the protection of rights against violations committed by both State actors and by individuals or groups. In particular, the government is duty bound to protect its citizens from non-state armed groups. It is also the government’s duty to make the perpetrators accountable and serve justice. The right to life, the right to housing, the right to freedom of movement and choice of residence, and the right to property are the internationally recognized rights violated in this connection.