Report Regarding Recent Outbreaks of Violence within Muslim and Christian Communities of Illubabor and Beghi Gidami, Wellega

Ethiopia has been home to the three Abrahamic faiths of Judaism, Christianity and Islam for centuries. Though at times romanticized, members of differing faith perspectives have coexisted, even intermarrying for generations. People from the outside world have lifted up and pointed to this positive example of inter-faith relations within Ethiopia as a model to be praised, and duplicated. This largely remains true, but the past years have seen a worrying rise in tensions between Muslim and Christian communities. On occasion these tensions have erupted in localized violent episodes. These incidents, although unnerving, have remained contained and not spread beyond the initial conflict’s epicentre.

Beginning around September 26^th this has changed. A level of violence not witnessed in years between members of differing faith groups has gripped western portions of Ethiopia. The violence has included members of the Ethiopian Muslim community, the Ethiopian Orthodox Church community and members of the Protestant or Evangelical community.

At the time of this writing, several hundred residences have been destroyed and numerous churches burned. These places of worship include those of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus, Full Gospel and Kale Hiwot (Word of Life). Initially, over one thousand persons (predominantly Orthodox) were displaced in Illubabor. Most have since been able to return to their home areas, but many found they had nothing to return to. In Beghi-Gidami, the violence occurring between October 10 and 18, an estimated three to five hundred persons have been displaced (predominantly Mekane Yesus). Those displaced have sought refuge, in surrounding districts, in Beghi town with relatives or in the Beghi-Gidami Synod Compound.  Tens of persons, Muslims and Christians alike, have lost their lives or sustained wounds of varying degrees of seriousness.  Gunshots and bladed weapons such as machetes, knives and swords are reportedly responsible for wounds inflicted and deaths. Deaths inflicted by the aforementioned bladed instruments were particularly horrific.

Over the past week no further news of violence has been reported in either Illubabor or Wellega, however, the situation remains fluid and unpredictable. In this environment, detailed and accurate information remains difficult to gather and verify. It is too early at this juncture to state what connections if any exist between the outbreaks of violence in Illubabor and Beghi-Gidami.

It is likewise, premature to state with confidence what variables have contributed and motivated this most recent rise in tensions and subsequent violent acts between peoples of faith. Rumours abound, and any attempts at drawing precise conclusions at this point in time would be mere speculation and unhelpful.

Governmental security and police forces have a strong presence in both areas and have rounded up and detained over one thousand individuals for questioning and investigation. It is important to note that with the immediate threat of violence apparently having subsided, the environment is ripe for deeper analysis and crafting of short-term, medium and longer-term responses. These processes are being carried out by both secular and faith-based organizations, and include local, national and international actors. A host of promising multi-dimensional approaches seem to be materializing from a number of directions.

Efforts from a variety of actors both religious and secular are presently for example underway to call for peace and emphatically state that neither religion (Muslim or Christian) condones or legitimizes the actions of the past weeks. There is a building momentum to address both this initial crisis as well as to formulate frameworks for building bridges, sustaining channels of healthy dialogue and beginning processes that hopefully lead to healing and reconciliation. These combined efforts and future initiatives will provide the seeds for the further strengthening of attitudes and behaviours of tolerance, inclusiveness and mutual respect amongst all peoples regardless of faith.

Positive signs are already emerging. In the town of Mettu, Illubabor members of the local Muslim, Ethiopian Orthodox, and Evangelical communities have met jointly with government officials. This joint gathering was viewed in a positive light by attendees, and sets the stage for continued dialogue. The community process in the town of Dembi has already produced favorable and tangible results. A committee, reflective of Dembi’s religious demographics, was formed to address the recent tragedies.

One of the initial actions carried out was a demonstration or a march for peace. This march moved through the town calling for no further violence and encouraged the ideals of tolerance and understanding to win out over ignorance and fear.  This is particularly uplifting news, given the fact that Dembi was a location where a significant amount of violence was experienced. 

Secondly, at the request of local Government authorities, members of the Muslim communities in Chello and Dembi villages (Illubabor) have been rebuilding dwellings for displaced Christians who are returning.