60 Orthodox Christians Killed in Ethiopia
At least 60 Orthodox Christians were killed during two recent attacks in Ethiopia’s Oromia region.
According to the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church’s Holy Synod, 14 people were killed on Oct. 20 in Merti district, and an additional 46 were killed on Oct. 24 in Shirka district. The church also reported that more than 20 people were seriously wounded and 20 homes were burned down in the two districts, which are in Oromia’s Arsi Zone.
Hailu Adugna, a spokesperson for the Oromia regional government, told the Associated Press that he believes the Liberation Army, or OLA, is responsible for the attacks. He reportedly accused them of trying to provoke ethnic and religious conflict to divert attention from their military losses in the north.
Although the Associated Press (AP) could not reach the OLA’s leader, Kumsa Diriba, for comment, it reported that Diriba, also known as Jaal Marroo, previously denied that his fighters target civilians, telling the AP, “Our war is not against the people.”
Investigators with the United Nations have accused the OLA of rapes, kidnappings, and killings. Other entities have documented government forces conducting disappearances, indiscriminate drone strikes, and extrajudicial killings.
The OLA is part of the Ethiopian Peoples’ Forces Alliance for Survival — seven groups that formed in September to oust Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s government. The Tigray People’s Liberation Front and the Amhara Fano National Movement are also members.
The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church called on authorities to condemn the attacks and prevent additional violence, stating the killings violated constitutional protections for religious freedom and the right to life.
A series of deadly attacks targeting Christian communities in East Arsi Zone between late February and April raised deep concern among church leaders and local communities. Many then warned of a repeated and growing pattern of violence.