Source: Amnesty International –
Warning: This press release contains descriptions of sexual violence and torture.
Members of Ethiopia’s Oromo Liberation Army (OLA) have subjected women and girls to sexual violence committing rape, gang rape, sexual slavery, summary killings and destruction of civilian property which may amount to war crimes, during the conflict which started in the Oromia region in 2019, Amnesty International said in a new briefing today.
The briefing, “No one came to my rescue: Gang rape, sexual slavery and mass displacement of women in Oromia, Ethiopia,” documents the atrocities against civilians particularly women and girls committed by the OLA armed group in Sayo and Anfillo woredas (districts) of Kellem Wallaga zone between 2020 and 2024. “For seven years, under the cover of darkness caused by a communication and media blackout, fighters in the Oromia region have caused immense suffering on civilians. These repeated abuses are not only horrific but may amount to war crimes,” said Tigere Chagutah, Amnesty International’s Regional Director for East and Southern Africa. “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.”
For seven years, under the cover of darkness caused by a communication and media blackout, fighters in the Oromia region have caused immense suffering on civilians. These repeated abuses are not only horrific but may amount to war crimes.
Tigere Chagutah, Amnesty International’s Regional Director for East and Southern Africa
“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.”
Fighting between the former military wing of the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF), the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA), and the Ethiopian National Defense Forces (ENDF), along with allied Oromia regional security forces, erupted in 2019, and the conflict continues to take a heavy toll on the civilian population.
For the briefing, Amnesty International interviewed 10 survivors of gang rape, seven of whom were under 18 at the time of the assaults. The organisation also received testimonies from healthcare providers and reviewed medical records of the survivors.