Rights Commission Accuses OLF Of Attacks On Civilians In Arsi Zone

Armed group rejects accusation, points blame at federal gov’t

The Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has accused the Oromo Liberation Army (OLF-Shene) of carrying out mass attacks against civilians in Arsi Zone.

In a statement issued on March 3, 2026, the Commission reported that members of the armed group attacked civilians in Jawi Kebele of Shirka Woreda and Gebe Kebele of Robe Woreda in late February.

According to EHRC, the attacks resulted in deaths, injuries, detentions, and the displacement of an unspecified number of civilians.

The Commission noted that although security conditions in the area had shown signs of improvement, attacks have continued in several districts since October.

Incidents have been reported in Shirka, Guna, Merti, Aseko, and Onqole Wabe districts, leading to loss of life, destruction of property, and displacement of local residents due to persistent security threats, the Commission stated.

Berhanu Adelo, who was appointed EHRC chief last year, called on both federal and regional authorities to deploy sufficient security forces in areas experiencing frequent attacks.

He urged the government to coordinate with humanitarian partners to provide emergency assistance for displaced civilians and to support their safe return to their communities.

However, OLF-Shene rejected the accusations in a separate statement issued the same day. The group instead alleged that government-affiliated forces or mercenaries were responsible for recent attacks and were attempting to incite ethnic and religious conflict.

The group claimed that armed actors operating in Shirka district had targeted Orthodox Christian civilians in an attempt to provoke tensions between Amhara and Oromo communities, as well as between Christians and Muslims. It claimed the attempts were aimed at undermining the long-standing traditions of co-existence and tolerance among diverse communities.

The group also criticized recent political rhetoric, including statements made during Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s visit to Wollega two weeks ago. According to OLA, comments suggesting that “the North is coming to take the opportunities of the Oromos” risk inflaming tensions and deepening divisions among communities.

It accused the federal government of attempting to stir discord among different ethnic and religious groups.

OLF-Shene cited recent developments related to the Wolkait area, pointing to a decision by the House of Federation concerning electoral arrangements as an example. The group alleged that the re-organization of constituencies in disputed areas could further aggravate tensions among Tigray and Amhara communities.

“First gifting them to Tigray to bait the Amhara, then snatching them away to bait the Tigrayans, then scrambling through the courts when it threatened to unite rather than divide” reads the group’s statement.

The Ethiopian Council of Religious Institutions has also condemned the killings in Arsi and called on the government to pursue and bring to justice those responsible for what it described as an irreligious and inhumane act.

The Oromia regional administration has yet to issue a statement regarding the attacks.

Amnesty International also publicized a report on March 6, 2026; unraveling grave human rights atrocities  committed by the OLA armed group in Sayo and Anfillo woredas (districts) of Kellem Wallaga zone between 2020 and 2024.

“The Oromo Liberation Army must immediately issue an order to all its fighters to respect international humanitarian law and international human rights law. They must also disarm and demobilize fighters and/or units who committed sexual violence, other forms of torture, killing, forced displacement, and other crimes under international law.”

Tigere Chagutah, Amnesty International’s Regional Director for East and Southern Africa, called on the international community attention. “These repeated abuses are not only horrific but may amount to war crimes. International and African rights monitors cannot continue to look the other way. They must demand that Ethiopian authorities launch immediate, impartial and thorough investigations into the atrocities with the aim of bringing all perpetrators to account and provide access to justice and remedy for victims and survivors.”

In its statement on the same day, OLA refuted Amnesty’s report as “Investigative failure, the Weaponization of Narrative and Portrait of Bias.”

It added that survivors deserve more than global attention than just reporting. According to the statement, anything less weakens the very cause it purports to serve.

“Amnesty International is not just making a mistake; they are actively laundering the reputation of a state-sponsored death squad. They are taking the government’s propaganda at face value and presenting it as human rights research. The report suffers from methodological weakness, basic factual errors, and a singular focus”.

(Abraham Tekle contributed to this article)