It is recalled that on December 6, 2023, the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC) issued a statement, calling on the Federal and the Regional governments to seek solutions commensurate with the gravity of the ongoing human rights violations, including through ensuring accountability, following attacks perpetrated against civilians at various times by the Oromo Liberation Army (commonly referred to as “Shene”) in various woredas/districts of the Arsi Zone of Oromia Region.
Although the situation in the zone appeared to have been improving for a while, EHRC has confirmed that since October 2025, renewed attacks by the armed group in Shirka, Guna, Merti, Aseko, and Onkolo Wabe districts have resulted in loss of lives, bodily injuries, and destruction of property, as well as the displacement of residents due to security concern. These findings are based on information gathered from victims’ families, residents, and local government officials based on tips and complaints received. EHRC has further confirmed, through information collected via multiple sources, that attacks perpetrated by the Oromo Liberation Army (commonly referred to as “Shene”) on February 26, 2026 in Jawi Kebele of Shirka District and Geba Kebele of Robe District resulted in killings, bodily injuries, abduction and displacement of an as-yet-undetermined number of individuals as of the time this statement was released.
EHRC Chief Commissioner Berhanu Adello stated that the attacks carried out by militants in various areas of the Arsi Zone of Oromia Region are resulting in human rights violations, stating that the killings, bodily injuries, displacements, abductions as well as destruction and looting of property have made it difficult for residents to exercise their right to life and carry out their daily activities in peace and security.
The Chief Commissioner further urged the Federal and Regional governments to deploy adequate security forces in areas where recurrent attacks have occurred and where there is a threat of attack; to provide, in collaboration with partners, adequate emergency humanitarian assistance to displaced persons; to facilitate conditions for the sustainable resettlement of displaced persons to their homes; and to strengthen efforts aimed at anticipating and preventing similar attacks in advance.