Update
EPO Weekly Update (26 March 2024)
Highlights of ethnic clashes and civilian targeting in Ethiopia regions.
Situation Summary
Clashes between ethnic Amhara and Oromo communities persisted in Amhara region, while civilian targeting by government forces was reported in Oromia region. Elsewhere, in Gambela region, tensions rose in the capital city following a shooting of a police officer.
Ethnic Based Clashes in Amhara Region
In Amhara region, deadly clashes between Oromo and Amhara ethnic militias continued, with fighting reported in Jilye Tumuga woreda in Oromia special zone and in and around Ataye town in North Shewa zone. ACLED records at least 21 reported fatalities due to a four-day clash from 18 to 21 March in these two areas. Last week’s clashes were a continuation of violence that began on 10 March. According to one witness from Oromia special zone, the recent round of conflict erupted after an armed group killed one person, injured two others, and raided cattle in Kolash area in Jilye Tumuga woreda on 10 March.1 Wider tensions between armed groups in Oromia and Amhara regions often manifest in the form of ethnic conflict in North Shewa and Oromia special zone of Amhara region, with factions loyal to Fano militias and the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA) — referred to by the government as the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF)-Shane — occasionally involved.
Meanwhile, armed clashes between Fano militias and Ethiopian National Defense Force (ENDF) troops continued in the region, with clashes being reported in West Gojam, Awi, Central Gondar, and South Gondar zones. Since the end of January, clashes between these actors have persisted in West Gojam zone.
Clashes and Violence Against Civilians in Oromia Region
On 15 and 16 March in East Wollega zone, Gida Ayana woreda, at least 16 ethnic Amhara civilians were reportedly killed by ENDF troops during search operations following the killing of a soldier by unidentified gunmen the day before.2 While violence between Amhara and Oromo communities is common in the towns and villages in north-western Oromia, this is the first instance of civilian targeting of ethnic Amhara civilians in Oromia region by the ENDF.
Moreover, armed clashes between government forces and the OLA/OLF-Shane were reported in West Guji and West Shewa zones last week. Clashes involving the OLA/OLF-Shane and security forces intensified in March in West Guji zone.
Tensions in Gambela Region
On 18 March, unidentified gunmen shot and critically injured a police officer in Gambela town, Gambela region. Following the killing, banks, transportation, and other public services were closed, and tension remained high for several days.3 Communal violence incidents have increased over the past year in Gambela region, beginning in Itang special woreda following the disappearance of an individual in May 2023 and spreading to include surrounding areas, including the regional capital and refugees from South Sudan residing in camps (see the EPO Weekly: 8-14 July 2023; EPO Weekly: 15-21 July 2023; and EPO Weekly: 22-28 July 2023).4 On 28 February, the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission released a report detailing the death of at least 138 people since May 2023 due to communal violence in Gambela region.5 Officials from Itang special woreda announced that they were working with various security sectors to strengthen efforts to create sustainable peace in the special woreda.6
Ethiopia at a Glance
16-22 March 2024
Data cover the period of 16-22 March 2024. For more information about how ACLED collects data and categorizes events, see the ACLED Codebook. Some events from this coverage period might be included in the data in subsequent weeks due to reporting delays.
Event Types
Battles: 19 Events
Explosions/Remote Violence: 0 Events
Violence Against Civilians: 4 Events
Mob Violence: 0 Events
Protests: 2 Events
Violent Demonstrations: 0 Events
