Ethiopia Today: We just released our report in Amharic or testimony of numerous victims

We just released our report in Amharic or testimony of numerous victims, survivors and eye-witnesses of Ziway and Shashamane’s attacks that was based on identity factors of ethnicity and religion.

Obang Metho

The English version of the report is to be released very soon.‬ Until then please read my short observation.

We are deeply saddened by the violence, killing and destruction taking place in Ziway, Shashamane and other parts of the Oromia region of our country in the last month, most of which consisted of targeted attacks based on ethnicity, religion and/or economic status.

Recently, a team from the Solidarity Movement for a New Ethiopia (SMNE) visited the area so as to gain a better understanding of what happened.

After seeing the destruction first hand and personally interviewing numerous victims, survivors and eye-witnesses, we observed and heard strong testimony that the targeting of these attacks was based on identity factors of ethnicity and religion.

Victims often also included diverse community members of higher economic status. There was even a prepared list of those to be targeted. It included residents, businesses and even vehicles. The list was based on the above-mentioned identity factors, all of which fits the definition of ethnic cleansing or genocide.

The definition of genocide is the intent to kill people, in part or whole, based on identity factors. The attacks and violence were not random. Neither was it interethnic fighting as some have said; instead, according to our findings, most all of the people killed were attacked in their own homes after the attackers broke down gates and doors to their homes.

Large neighborhoods would be left untouched while one home and one family would be targeted. In almost every case, these individuals would be of a different background, usually Amhara by ethnicity and Orthodox Christian by faith.

The same targeting related to the choice of businesses, churches and even the owners of vehicles that were destroyed by large groups of youth who shouted out in Afaan Oromo, “These people should go back to where they came from,” even though most of the victims had been born and raised there.

It should be noted that many of the victims had positive relationships with others in their neighborhoods and communities. In fact, many local neighbors, friends and people of more moderate thinking and courage tried to help in many ways, but were also intimidated and targeted in some places.

It should be understood that many ethnic Oromo living in the region certainly object to this violence, but fear repercussions should they speak out. In fact, the extremist-nationalists have become competitors with the present administration. Responsibility for the recent killing and rising violence has been attributed to the Qeerroo youth.

Sadly, this horrible tragedy is not new to our country, but have been carried out many times before.

For example, in September 2018, more than 100 people from the Gamo ethnic group living in Burayu District, in the special Oromia zone near Addis Ababa were targeted, killed and their property destroyed. The same threat was used, saying that: “…they, [their victims] should go back to where they came from.”

Last October, in Bale, 86 people were killed based on ethnicity (Amhara) and religion, which was Christian. There are many more incidents that have taken place in the country over the last years, too many to mention.

More investigation and documentation by international independent organization is needed on this atrocity; however, people are alarmed with the lack of strong intervention by the federal and regional governments

Our conclusion is that a great part of this resulted from the elevation of ethnic identity, a tool of the ethnic federalist system that was put into place by the TPLF and other ethno-nationalists in the early years of their rule.

It was carried out through divide and conquer techniques on the people to ensure they did not unite against the TPLF; however, this system is “poison” and has far-reaching effects.

What they, the TPLF and ethno-nationalists, planted 38 years ago when they came into power is now being harvested and has led to destruction and killing. It must be resisted; yet, without strong and effective confrontation and change, it will could easily lead to far greater losses in the future.

The SMNE is an organization working for the betterment of all the people of Ethiopia. Our work is guided by principles of: “putting humanity before ethnicity or other differences,” and for the freedom of all because: “no one will be sustainably free until all of us are free.” This means an Ethiopia where all our people are seen as equal under the law. This identity-based violence is a strong violation of these principles.

May God bless protect all our precious people of Ethiopia and the land He has given to all of us!