A new fireplace for violence in Ethiopia, already destabilized by the war in Tigray and inter-municipal clashes in several provinces. This time it is members of the Ethiopian Federation’s two most populous people who are colliding more and more violently: Amharas and Oromos. For several months, an Oromo guerrilla has carried out deadly attacks, especially against Amharas.
Despite the state of emergency declared on Sunday, April 18 in the southern region, Amhara’s nationalist demonstrations took place on Tuesday, April 20, raising tensions a little more. Thousands of people across Amhara marched under the tri-colored flag of ancient Ethiopia. With raised fists, the protesters condemned what they call the “genocide” of Amharas.
In recent weeks, the conflicts with Oromos have increased, where the two peoples meet. In the town of Ataye on Friday, April 16, Amhara security forces shot dead an Oromo trader from the “special zone”, a district in Amhara where a majority of Oromos live, after which punitive expeditions for the residents killed 18 people. Last month, dozens of Oromo farmers were killed in the “special zone”, sometimes during lynching episodes.
Abiy Ahmed was accused by some Amhara nationalists of promoting attacks
Regional authorities and the federal government say they are conducting operations against an Oromo guerrilla movement. But the most nationalist in the political class, Amhara, accuses Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, himself of Oromo origin, and relies on Oromo cadres, to promote these attacks. Oromo nationalists, on the other hand, accuse Amharas, now supported by the Eritrean army, of trying to seize power by force and forcibly reduce Oromo’s influence over the federation.
► See also: In Ethiopia, tensions between Amhara and Oromo left 300 dead in March
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