In a tragic incident that unfolded in Ethiopia’s Oromiya region, an aerial strike on the grounds of the Baro Full Gospel Church resulted in the loss of eight lives and left five individuals injured. Witnesses on the scene, along with an opposition political party, reported the devastating attack as people gathered to collect corn from a field on the church grounds.
Two witnesses and an opposition political party have come forward to share their accounts of the incident. According to their reports, the aerial strike occurred on Monday morning at the church compound in the Horo Gudru Wellega zone, approximately 200 km northwest of the capital Addis Ababa. Those present were primarily engaged in harvesting corn when the tragic incident unfolded.
Government spokesperson Legesse Tulu, however, dismissed these accounts, labeling them as “an absolute lie.” The conflicting narratives have created a tense atmosphere surrounding the incident.
Among the victims were two deacons, two keyboard players from the church band, and a singer in the choir, as reported by a member of the church who wished to remain anonymous. The aftermath of the attack left bodies and flesh scattered across the cornfield, creating a scene of unimaginable horror for those who witnessed it.
The tragic event comes against the backdrop of peace talks between the Ethiopian government and the rebel Oromo Liberation Army (OLA), which concluded without a deal in November. The failure of these negotiations has led to sporadic attacks in Oromiya, the country’s largest region.
The OLA, an outlawed splinter group of the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF), attributes its grievances to the alleged marginalization and neglect of people in Oromiya. The OLF, a formerly banned opposition party, returned from exile after Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed took office in 2018.
Official Responses and Investigations
As the nation grapples with the aftermath of the tragedy, government officials, including spokespeople for the Prime Minister’s Office and the Oromiya region, have not yet provided official comments on the incident. The Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC) is reported to be investigating the attack.
The conflicting narratives and the profound impact on the community underscore the complexities of the ongoing conflict and the need for transparent investigations to uncover the truth behind this devastating event.
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Credit: Dawit Endeshaw