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Ongoing Violence Against Ethiopian Orthodox Christians
November 6, 2025
Recent Killings in Oromia
Disturbing reports from October and November 2025 reveal ongoing violence targeting Ethiopian Orthodox Christians, particularly in the Oromia region of Ethiopia. The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church (EOTC) signals catastrophic incidents leading to dozens of deaths, drawing attention from local and international communities.
Specific Incidents
East Arsi Zone:
In October 2025, more than 25 civilians were reportedly killed in this zone alone. Eyewitnesses describe the perpetrators as "unknown gunmen" who carried out these attacks with religious motives. This information comes from a report by the EOTC shared through the Associated Press (APA) and cited in Catholic News Agency on November 6, 2025.
Shirka District:
A harrowing incident occurred in late October where three people were killed, and four were abducted in Hela Zibaba Kebele. Just days prior, 14 Orthodox followers were massacred in Abajema and Merti localities, including five members of the same family. Eyewitness accounts suggest these attacks were religiously motivated, with details provided by Zehabesha on November 5, 2025.
Abomsa Village:
On November 3, 2025, six individuals were confirmed dead in Abomsa Village, further highlighting the escalating violence. This incident was confirmed through multiple sources reporting conditions in the region (Amhara America).
Broader Context
This wave of violence reflects a lengthy pattern of systematic persecution against the EOTC in Oromia, a crisis that has persisted since 2016. Key issues include:
Systematic Targeting:
Eyewitness accounts and analyses suggest these attacks are orchestrated by local militias, such as OLF-Shane, with victims often labeled as "outsiders". This pattern of violence is noted in reports by Human Rights Watch and echoed by the Ethiopian Catholic Bishops’ Conference.
Government Inaction:
The EOTC and human rights organizations accuse local authorities of indifference, claiming they often fail to investigate these crimes or even contribute to the violence. This lack of accountability has been a recurring theme in reports from Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch.
Wider Violence:
The Catholic Bishops' Conference of Ethiopia has condemned these acts of violence, which have also affected Catholic communities, highlighting a broader security crisis and inter-communal conflict throughout the region.
Human rights organizations and church groups are urging for immediate independent investigations, accountability measures, and government assurances of protection for all citizens, irrespective of faith or ethnicity. This sentiment has been captured in various publications and reports, reinforcing the urgency for international attention to the plight of these communities.
[Sources: Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church Reports, Associated Press, Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International]
