Clashes in the neighboring woredas of Efrata Gidim in North Shoa and Jille Timuga of Oromo Administration zone of the Amhara region claimed the lives of more than 20 people as reported by Deutcsche Welle (DW). The conflict also resulted in extensive property damage.
According to the report, 12 deaths were from Efrata Gidim woreda, while the remaining 10 casualties occured in Jille Timuga. The administrators of the two zones hold differing views on the cause of the conflict. The North Shoa zone adminstration claims that Shene, labeled as a terrorist by the federal governemnt, is responsible for the violence while the Oromo Adminsitrative zone accuses Fano of being the culprit.
DW interviewed residents from both Efrata Gidim and Jille Timuga. Residents of Efrata Gidim stated that the conflict was triggered by disputes over grazing land, a common issue in the area that used to be resolved by community elders. Recently, such clashes have been exacerbated by the involvement of Shene.
On the other hand, residents of Jille Timuga claimed, the armed men conducted the attack in retaliation for the the recent Wollega Massacre. The Oromo Administrative zone stated the situation has calm down, and new security measures have been implemented.
The administrator of the Efrata Gidem woreda also mentioned that while grazing land disputes are said to be the reason behind the conflict, armed men from outside attacked kebeles including Arso Amba, Magna, Metenke and Sherefa. However, he did not specify the identity of these armed men.
Following the clash, the Ethiopian Human Right Council (EHRCO), as reported by Addis Maelda, stressed that the Ethiopian government is failing to provide adequate protection for the civilians in North Shoa. According to EHRCO armed militias coming through Jille Timuga killed local militeas and farmers in Efrata Gidim kebeles. They also set fire to houses houses resulting in the displacements of communities. Click here to listn to DW’s full story.
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