Oromo region of Ethiopia has seen recurring ethnic based attacks by Qerroo mobs over the past six years
Borkena
Toronto – Residents in the Jimma Zone of the Oromia Region have confirmed that civilians were killed and thousands displaced since last Thursday. The incident occurred in the Gera District of the zone, where at least ten people lost their lives. Additionally, there are individuals whose whereabouts remain unknown.
BBC Amharic, after speaking to residents from the area, reported that the attack unfolded following the killing of a businessman, identified as Zakir Ali, in Bore Kebele last Thursday. Zakir, who was involved in the coffee business, had reportedly been granted land taken from approximately 200 farmers.
The identities of those responsible for the killing have not been established. However, a rampage ensued when a group of youth, known as “Qeerroo,” organized themselves and carried out attacks targeting individuals based on identity. According to BBC Amharic, citing eyewitnesses, the youth burned houses and properties. The killing of the businessman was allegedly linked to ethnic Amhara living in the area without any investigation.
A priest serving at St. George Church in Gera District described the situation, stating, “When the gunfire was intense [Wednesday night], we were scared. We did not know anything.” He was referring to his and his family’s condition during the night of the attack.
As the youth and special forces of the Oromia Region advanced, the priest fled his home in his nightclothes along with his five-year-old daughter and spouse. His house was set ablaze and reduced to ashes. Thousands of houses were reportedly burned.
Another resident from the area told BBC Amharic, “The country [referring to the kebele in the district] could not be seen. It was fire all over the place—flames everywhere.”
Eyewitnesses were clear that those targeted were ethnic Amhara. Borkena reported the incident last Saturday, citing Mahbere Kidusan, a news source with links to the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church. The victims, including those forced to flee to neighboring regions in southern Ethiopia, were predominantly Orthodox Christians. The source is credible, and it appears that the ethnic Amhara targeted in the attack were followers of the Orthodox Church.
Government security and defense force members were reportedly deployed to the area, but they allegedly failed to stop the attacks and the burning of houses. Residents who managed to escape the attack told BBC Amharic, “How can they be quiet while a house is burning? If they were real government bodies, they could not keep silent while houses are burning… Had they been genuine law enforcement bodies, they could have stopped them and told them to calm down.”
The Oromia Regional State has described the massacre in Gera, Jimma, as an “incident,” according to a BBC Amharic report. However, the regional government did not provide detailed information about the event, leaving many questions unanswered.
Based on extensive news coverage Borkena has been publishing for several years now, Qeerroo mob attacks appear to be a recurring and prevalent occurrence in the Oromia region of Ethiopia. These attacks often seem to be triggered by the killing of an ethnic Oromo civilian or prominent figure. For example, when the prominent singer Hachalu was killed, an angry mob vandalized and pillaged businesses, mostly those belonging to ethnic Amhara, in many cities. Hundreds of civilians were killed, and no justice has been served to date.
__
Subscribe : https://borkena.com/subscribe-borkena/
Join our Telegram Channel : t.me/borkena
Like borkena on Facebook
Add your business to Ethiopian Business Listing / Ethiopian Business Directory Business Listing Toronto
Join the conversation. Follow us on X (Formerly Twitter) @zborkena to get the latest Ethiopian News updates regularly. Subscribe to YouTube channel To share information or for submission, send e-mail to info@borkena.com
