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More than 20 civilians have been killed by armed men in Ethiopia’s Oromia region, which has long been plagued by violence from various militant groups, according to two local civil servants who spoke to AFP on Wednesday.
Ethiopia, Africa’s second most populous nation with around 130 million inhabitants and a complex mix of ethnic groups, continues to grapple with multiple armed conflicts.
Oromia, the country’s largest region encircling the capital Addis Ababa, has been the centre of fighting between federal forces and the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA) since 2018.
The OLA has been labelled a terrorist group by the government, and attempts at peace talks have so far failed to bring stability.
In addition to the OLA, the Fano militia — a traditional “self-defence” group from the Amhara ethnic community that usually operates in the neighbouring Amhara region — has also launched attacks in Oromia.
One local civil servant, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that Fano members “attacked civilians with swords and guns” in the Nono district, about 110 kilometres southwest of Addis Ababa.
The official reported that 25 people, including women and children, were killed, with four others succumbing to their injuries in hospital.
Another local source confirmed that 22 civilians had been killed by Fano militants, though no further details were provided.
Temesgen Kasa, a regional security official, said that Fano fighters have been active in the area for four years, “taking advantage of opportune moments to launch attacks against civilians and loot property.”
He added that the violence has worsened in recent years and believes the attackers came from the neighbouring Central region.
The Oromia region has endured years of unrest, with humanitarian agencies warning of the toll on civilians.
In July, the Red Cross described the ongoing clashes as having “devastating consequences” for residents, particularly in remote areas. “Oromia doesn’t make the headlines, yet civilians continue to be deeply affected by violence, with many people killed or injured and limited help coming from outside the region,” the organisation said.
