Armed men launched an attack on an Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church in Debos Kebele of East Wollega, resulting in the death of 29 people on March 5, 2021, as reported by Addis Standard. Witnesses informed Addis Standard that members of the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA) stormed the church and immediately killed the church administrator. The armed militias then took the remaining 28 individuals to a nearby forest and shot them. Among the victims, 21 were women, and three were found with their babies lying beside them.
According to residents who spoke with Addis Standard, local security forces had left the village prior to the attack in order to carry out operations against the OLA. The residents believe that the armed men must have been informed about the absence of security forces. Fearing further attacks, people are continuing to leave the area. One resident pleaded with Addis Standard to convey to the federal government the urgent need to protect the people, as they have lost hope in any response from the regional government. The report quoted the resident as saying, “The Oromia special forces left after one of their members was killed by the militiamen; there’s nobody here to take accountability for our lives.”
OLA has denied the accusation in a letter written to Addis Standard on March 10, 2021.
